So Many Damn Books

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Christopher (@cdhermelin) and Drew (@drewsof) talk about reading, literature, publishing, and trying to make it through their never-dwindling stack of things to read. All with a themed drink in their hands. Recorded at the Damn Library in Brooklyn, NY. For show info, book lists, and drink recipes,…

Christopher Hermelin + Drew Broussard


    • May 22, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 251 EPISODES

    4.7 from 251 ratings Listeners of So Many Damn Books that love the show mention: chris and drew, tob, talking books, podcast about books, talented guests, book nerds, book discussion, best book podcast, read list, talking about books, bookish, author interviews, christopher, book podcasts, talk about books, great book recommendations, good book, love books, book lovers, tournament.


    Ivy Insights

    The So Many Damn Books podcast is an exceptional podcast for book lovers looking for new and interesting recommendations. Unlike other book podcasts that rely heavily on bestseller and book club lists, So Many Damn Books offers a diverse selection of books, including both new releases and backlisted titles. The host, Christopher, provides insightful commentary and summaries of the books without giving away too much of the plot, making it easier for listeners to decide if a particular book is worth their time.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its authenticity. The hosts, Christopher and Drew (formerly), have a down-to-earth and genuine approach to discussing books. They are not showy or performative in any way, which makes the podcast feel more relatable and enjoyable. Additionally, they often feature solid guest authors who bring unique perspectives to the conversation.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its focus on backlisted books. While other podcasts may prioritize newly printed books due to publisher influence, So Many Damn Books takes the time to highlight older titles that may have been overlooked but are still worth checking out. This adds a sense of authenticity to the podcast and ensures that listeners are exposed to a wide range of literary works.

    However, one potential downside of this podcast is that it can be overwhelming for listeners who already have extensive reading lists or limited time for reading. With so many recommendations being made each episode, it can be challenging to keep track of all the books mentioned. It would be helpful if the podcast provided a list or links to all the recommended books discussed in each episode.

    Overall, The So Many Damn Books podcast is an excellent resource for book lovers looking for new recommendations or wanting to delve deeper into literature discussions. It offers a diverse selection of books with insightful commentary from knowledgeable hosts and guest authors. Despite some minor drawbacks in terms of managing all the recommendations made on the show, this podcast stands out as an engaging and authentic source for book-related content.



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    Latest episodes from So Many Damn Books

    241: Tyler Wetherall (AMPHIBIAN) and Terjei Vesaas' THE ICE PALACE

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 72:43


    Tyler Wetherall, author and sole force behind the indispensable literary reading series newsletter, Reading the City visits the Damn Library in person in order to have a very involved mezcal margarita, and chat about her novel Amphibian, and mermaids, her memoir No Way Home, and the fun part of research for a new project. And then we also get into (and spoil, to some extent, if you go for that sort of thing) The Ice Palace by Terjei Vesaas, and how it inspired some of the shape of Amphibian. Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-237music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    240: Kate Folk (SKY DADDY) and Marlen Haushofer's THE WALL

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 54:51


    Kate Folk flies into the Zoom Damn Library and boy are her arms tired! That's an airplane joke, and it's very fitting, actually, because she's here to discuss her madcap Sky Daddy, as well as the more subdued but no less crazy The Wall by Marlen Haushofer. Put your tray tables up and your seatbacks in the full upright position, it's time to listen!Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-237music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    239: Jeanne Thornton (A/S/L) & Anton Solomonik's REALISTIC FICTION

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 71:43


    Jeanne Thornton physically drops by the Damn Library to talk A/S/L, her incredible novel about amateur video game coders in the 90s and how they're doing a couple decades years later, and also a bit of her novel Summer Fun as well, because why not. Plus, she brings along Anton Solomonik's Realistic Fiction, an excitingly strange and very funny short story collection.Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-237music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    238: Kate Slotover (of The Book Club Review) Returns, Solvej Balle's ON THE CALCULATION OF VOLUME VOL 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 60:00


    Kate Slotover of The Book Club Review drops in again, virtually this time, to talk about a visit to a posh library, her reading life of late, and Solvej Balle's On the Calculation of Volume Vol. 1, and also we talk about Volume 2 some. Get on the train bound for November 18th!Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-237music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    237: 21 Long Books to Sink Into

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 19:51


    A list of 22 long books because sometimes you need to get lost in a book, like really lost, like 400 pages in and not even halfway there and every tree looks just like the one that came before. But you're happy about it, because getting lost in a book was the point. That kind of lost. Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-237music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    236: 22 Short Books for Short Attention Spans

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 19:56


    A list of 22 short books for short attention spans because we all hey look at that dog! he's trying to catch a butterfly!!Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-235music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    235: Cynthia Weiner (A GORGEOUS EXCITEMENT) & Susanna Moore's IN THE CUT

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 50:39


    Cynthia Weiner zooms in and starts off the year right with her 80s New York novel, A Gorgeous Excitement. We talk all the trappings of true crime and female friendship and mental health, plus Cynthia brings along Susanna Moore's 90s cult classic In the Cut.Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-235music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    234: Favorite Reads of 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 24:29


    Christopher chooses some favorites from the reading year that just passed, and answers some questions from the Patreon patrons.Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-233music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    233: Emily Habeck (SHARK HEART: A LOVE STORY) & Jenny Offill's DEPT. OF SPECULATION

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 56:16


    Emily Habeck swims on in to chat the book Christopher can't stop recommending to anyone and everyone, Shark Heart: A Love Story. Thrill to this episode where we get into the long and winding road from theater to novel writing, and the pleasures of re-reading Jenny Offill's Dept. of Speculation, 10 years on. Join the Patreon and hang out in the monthly book club, listen to exclusive episodes, and get access to the SMDB virtual book stoop a couple times a year! https://patreon.com/smdbFor the drink recipe, every book and link mentioned, and more, visit: https://www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-233music: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    232: Holiday Gift Guide 2024 (with Sarah!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 45:13


    If you do something two years in a row, that makes it a yearly tradition right? With that in mind, here's the very traditional Holiday Gift Guide episode. I'm joined by Sarah in our Damn Library and we talk some books and get down to the business of gift giving this season. It's a present, open it up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    231: Rosalind Brown (PRACTICE) & Lisa Robertson's THE BAUDELAIRE FRACTAL

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 80:16


    Rosalind Brown makes her airwaves debut in this one, talking about her debut novel Practice, which means talking about Shakespeare, and using white space on the page, and the various intimacies of point of view. Plus, she brought along The Baudelaire Fractal by Lisa Robertson, a jubilant novel of thoughts that feels perfectly aligned with Practice. Pick up your pens and your pencils and your listening devices, it's time to podcast!contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    230: Ten Years of So Many Damn Books (with Drew Broussard)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 60:46


    Our old pal Drew drops into the Damn Library, in Brooklyn, in person, for the first time since February 2020, to celebrate 10 years of So Many Damn Books. The show gets done like it usually does, only with a lot of trips down memory lanes and nostalgia avenues.contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    229: Lena Valencia (MYSTERY LIGHTS) & Muriel Spark's DRIVER'S SEAT

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 69:15


    Lena Valencia drops by the Damn Library, physically, and it's a real nice time complete with a flashing drink you can't see, because this is a podcast. Lena and I discuss her blockbuster, nearly a decade in the making, short story collection debut, Mystery Lights, and she brings along Muriel Spark's Driver's Seat, which is just as good as it gets. Read on!contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    228: Lev Grossman (THE BRIGHT SWORD) & Phillip K Dick's UBIK

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 66:40


    Lev Grossman returns to the podcast after a nine year break. That's a long time! Since he was here last, he wrote his Arthurian magnum opus, The Bright Sword, and he chats about it, along with a good name for a cocktail sword, God, Merlin, and how he likes to be in conversation with someone else's work. Plus, he brings along Phillip K. Dick's UBIK, a bizarre sci-fi classic that's on the verge of fantasy itself.contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    227: Holly Gramazio (THE HUSBANDS) & Zito Madu's THE MINOTAUR AT CALLE LANZA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 71:52


    Holly Gramazio drops by via the magic of Zoom to talk her magical summer blockbuster of a book, The Husbands. She gets into its origin as a computer game, a lack of supernatural solutions, and why it used to have the moon falling apart. Plus, she brings along the surreal-but-still-relatable Zito Madu's The Minotaur at Calle Lanza, and reveals she's just been to Venice. Read on, compadres!contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    226: Kate Slotover (THE BOOK CLUB REVIEW) discusses Helene Hanff's LETTER FROM NEW YORK and Joseph Mitchell's UP IN THE OLD HOTEL

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 70:19


    Kate Slotover, host of The Book Club Review podcast, joins me in the Damn Library all the way from London! Drinks are had, New York is discussed, along with two different worlds of New York reportage, Helene Hanff's Letter from New York, and Joseph Mitchell's Up in the Old Hotel. Such a joy!contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    225: Melissa Mogollon (OYE) and Jenny Odell's HOW TO DO NOTHING

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 62:50


    Melissa Mogollon zooms in to talk her debut Oye, and all the fun she had writing it. That means we talk how her friends are like her sisters, the unusual structure that always felt like it could fail, and how she might write a sequel from the sister's perspective. Plus, she brings along Jenny Odell's How to Do Nothing, a book that was great to revisit, and is informing her on how to connect digitally as she releases her book.contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    224: Tea & Contemplation with Drew Broussard

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 52:54


    Our old pal Drew (of Voyage into Genre) is back! We talk about how the internet used to be, how Drew broke his slump, some literal tea discussion, RPG and video games, and general book chatter. The usual, served up just how you like it, in podcast form.contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    223: Fiona Warnick (THE SKUNKS) and Sheila Heti's ALPHABETICAL DIARIES

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 65:27


    Fiona Warnick, author of the charming novel The Skunks, drops by to talk animals and metaphor, how her creative writing program helped her with this book, writing smooth, and more than that, because we also get into Sheila Heti's Alphabetical Diaries, which inspires a deeper dive into the work of Heti and her influence.contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    222: Bookshelf May 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 14:33


    Christopher goes through some stuff he read and some stuff he wants to read. Got any modern pirate book recommendations?contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    221: Alexander Tanner (WORRY) and Kathryn Scanlan's AUG 9 - FOG

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 57:51


    Alexandra Tanner shares the Damn Library physical space, sitting in the chair across from me and everything. She discusses her sibling's influence on Worry, writing for an audience of one, money, moms, and more. Plus, she brings Kathryn Scanlan's Aug 9 - Fog for book club. Listen closely and you'll hear books mentioned now and again.contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    220: Lines in the Sand with Sarah

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 42:53


    Damn Library co-owner Sarah sits to chat about all the things that makes one pick up a book only to put it back down again. A list of reading pet peeves that touches on everything from subject matter, to stylizations, tropes, design choices, and more. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    219: Rachel Lyon's FRUIT OF THE DEAD & Tessa Hadley's THE PAST

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 52:02


    Rachel Lyon returns to talk about her new novel, Fruit of the Dead, and how it wasn't always a Persephone myth retelling, she found that along the way. Plus, we get into the “generative fill” of reading, and I pontificate on dust mote fiction, inspired by the fetid summer heat within the pages of Tessa Hadley's The Past. Read along!contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    218: GennaRose Nethercott (FIFTY BEASTS TO BREAK YOUR HEART) & Sabrina Orah Marks' HAPPILY

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 50:58


    GennaRose Nethercott returns to talk about her brand new story collection Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, stealing details from her friends, telling stories from the periphery, and how each tale in the book is about yearning. Also, thanks to Sabrina Orah Marks' Happily, we discuss all form of fairy tales, and how they can tubocharge your selling power, you just have to ask us how. Real good listenin'!contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    217: Kirsten Bakis' KING NYX & Tana French's THE SECRET PLACE

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 54:30


    Kirsten Bakis makes her podcast airwave debut to discuss her brand new novel, King Nyx. And it's a doozy. Kirsten reflects on sideways stories and how she first “met” the real life inspiration for her main character, and some reflections on how things have changed in publishing since she first debuted 27 years ago with her modern classic, Lives of the Monster Dogs. Listen up and listen good!contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    216: Marie-Helene Bertino's BEAUTYLAND & Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's THE LITTLE PRINCE

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 68:05


    Marie-Helene Bertino returns to the Damn Library to discuss her latest triumph, Beautyland. Marie-Helene goes into how she creates some of the book's indelible, otherworldly moments, and why the book's writing process was charmed. Plus, she brought along The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a book that is much more powerful when you're not translating it for french class. Books are back, baby!contribute! https://patreon.com/smdbfor drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.commusic: Disaster Magic(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    215: Top Reads of 2023 with Sarah

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 34:21


    Into the Damn Library Sarah and Christopher go again, to review their respective years on reading, pull out the highlights, and make plans for the year to come. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for the full gift list, every drink recipe, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Deck The Halls Chris Hayes Music Remix

    214: SMDB Gift Guide 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 42:58


    Sarah joins Christopher in the Damn Library she co-owns to drink martinis and talk about good ideas for holiday gifting, from books to subscriptions to games to cocktail accoutrements and more. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for the full gift list, every drink recipe, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)

    213: Book Chattin' with Drew

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 45:28


    Drew Broussard, Hudson valley author, Golden Notebook bookseller, host of Voyage Into Genre, and former host of this show, jumps into his old chair in the Damn Library and it's like he never left. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)

    212: Amy Kurzweil (ARTIFICIAL: A LOVE STORY) & Jason Lutes' BERLIN

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 72:51


    Amy Kurzweil stops into the Damn Library, physically, to talk about the physical object of her new graphic memoir, Artificial: A Love Story, which largely concerns AI. We discuss capturing the details of her screens, the open question of the future, and what we keep from the past to get there. Plus, we delve into the many joys of Jason Lutes' Berlin, a modern masterpiece. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)

    211: Edan Lepucki (TIME'S MOUTH) & Yael Goldstein-Love's THE POSSIBILITIES

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 63:47


    Edan Lepucki visits the virtual Damn Library by the power of the internet to discuss her intergenerational time travel novel, Time's Mouth. We get into all the fun stuff, like time travel mechanics, Reichian therapy, making fortresses, Santa Cruz, and how she's seeing her career at this point. Plus, we talk about The Possibilities by Yael Goldstein-Love, a book that Edan helped name. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)

    210: Jennifer Baker (FORGIVE ME NOT) & Akwaeke Emezi's PET

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 61:09


    Jennifer Baker steps into the physical reality of the Damn Library and thankfully brings along her infectious laugh and passion for books. We chat all about the long road of writing her new novel Forgive Me Not, her hopes for how it's received, and how curiosity drives her fiction while anger can drive her nonfiction. Plus, she brought along Akwaeke Emezi's incredible Pet. A perfect visit! contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)

    209: Mona Awad (ROUGE) & Susanna Clarke's PIRANESI

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 58:48


    Mona Awad visits the Damn Library via the casual magic of web video for a third go round, this time for her bedeveling, garnet-bedazzled Rouge. She talks about putting her characters through the ringer, horror stories showing you a path, Tom Cruise, beauty cults, and more. Plus, both Mona and Christopher extoll the many virtues of Susanna Clarke's Piranesi, and how it came at exactly the right time. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)

    208: Stacey Mei Yan Fong (50 PIES 50 STATES) & John Waters' CARSICK

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 59:38


    Stacey Mei Yan Fong drops into the Damn Library for a slice of pie and a pie-inspired cocktail and lots of impassioned talk of pie and baking and her new cookbook 50 Pies 50 States. Plus, behind the scenes of morning shows! And Stacey introduces Christopher to the joys of John Waters through his memoir Carsick. Have a slice! contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)

    207: Henry Hoke (OPEN THROAT) & Steven Dunn's POTTED MEAT

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 70:53


    Henry Hoke makes a visit to the physical space of the Damn Library to talk his novel Open Throat, and allowing P-22 to become “me-22,” as well as the rest of his work, plus the novella Potted Meat by Steven Dunn, and the power of short weird books in general. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)

    206: Vacation Reading

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2023 15:57


    I'm just hanging out in the Damn Library talking about some books I just got in the mail, and the books I'm taking on vacation. Is this a good idea? Only time will tell. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    205: Christine Grillo (HESTIA STRIKES A MATCH) & Molly Keane's GOOD BEHAVIOUR

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 58:18


    Into the Damn Library Christine Grillo zooms, and what do we talk about? Her inventive, touching, hopefully not too prescient Hestia Strikes a Match, plus all that went into it, like parents and politics and fireplace decor. Plus, she brings along the archly funny and itself harrowing Good Behaviour by Molly Keane. Books, you better believe it! contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    204: Kate Slotover (The Book Club Review) & Kathryn Scanlan's KICK THE LATCH & Christopher Morley's PARNASSUS ON WHEELS

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 61:40


    Kate Slotover, co-host of the podcast The Book Club Review, zooms into the Damn Library and chats book podcast reading, how many books she will get to before she dies, the driving philosophy of what she wants her show's conversations to be like, why we should articulate what we don't like about books, the magic of Dick Francis, the perennial fun of will-they-won't-they, and so much more, including deep dives into the novellas they traded, Kate's Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan and Christopher's Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley. A book lover's feast! Bon appetit! Here's the other half of this conversation: Christopher on Kate's podcast! https://www.thebookclubreview.co.uk/portfolio/items/so-many-damn-books-episode-143/ contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    203: Rebecca Makkai (I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU) & Sabahattin Ali's MADONNA IN A FUR COAT

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 55:53


    Rebecca Makkai drops into the Damn Library a few months after her newest smash hit novel I Have Some Questions For You hit the shelves, chatting about critiquing/celebrating the podcast world, how podcasters are the new detectives, writing a campus novel when you live on campus, and so much more, including just how it feels to be where she's at in her career at this point. Plus, we delve into her 84 Books Project and Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    fur coat rebecca makkai i have some questions for you
    202: Brendan Slocumb (SYMPHONY OF SECRETS) & Eli Cranor's OZARK DOGS

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 52:08


    Brendan Slocumb has a seat in the hyperspace universe of the Zoom Damn Library to talk his new historical musical thriller Symphony of Secrets, and of course some Violin Conspiracy, getting into creating a world of historical music, how his violin discipline helps him as a writer, and more. Plus, he gets to talk up his debut panel friend Eli Cranor's Ozark Dogs, and how the literary world has welcomed him. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    201: Ling Ling Huang (NATURAL BEAUTY) & Baek Sehee's I WANT DO DIE BUT I WANT TO EAT TTEOKBOKKI

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 64:13


    Ling Ling Huang stops by the universe of the Zoom Damn Library the day after her book, Natural Beauty, graces shelves. She talks about writing the book in her Notes app, living the classical music life, how she surprised her parents with her book deal, getting shots in her butt for her beauty industry employer, and so much more. Plus, she brought along the Korean bestseller I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, so of course we have to talk about therapy, and how this book surprises you with its ending. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    200: Kelly Link (WHITE CAT, BLACK DOG) & Megan Giddings' THE WOMEN COULD FLY

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 60:02


    The one and only Kelly Link zooms into the Damn Library hypserspace to talk her spectacular new collection, White Cat, Black Dog. She gets into how the new collection got its footing in fairy tales, how she loves ghost stories but has never seen a ghost (and that's okay), and discuss the magic of David Macaulay's Motel of the Mysteries. She brought along Megan Giddings' incredible The Women Could Fly, and we discuss how real its magic feels, and how books get tied to the place you read them. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    199: Idra Novey (TAKE WHAT YOU NEED) & César Aira's ON CONTEMPORARY ART

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 51:09


    Idra Novey actually drops by the Damn Library IN PERSON to discuss her stunning new book, Take What You Need, creating an artist's practice, torching things, and short novels. Also, she brought along César Aira's On Contemporary Art to accompany the art on display in the text of her book. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    198: Spring Horizon Ramble 2023, or, The Re-Return of Drew

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 42:34


    Former co-host, writer, and podcast journeyman Drew Broussard sits down to talk about, what else? Books. The Tournament of Books, inventing rather than referencing art within fiction, the problem with thriller titles these days… it's all out on the table. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    197: Nita Prose (THE MAID) & Nina de Gramont's THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 53:43


    Nita Prose drops into the Damn Library to illuminate her runaway hit novel, winner of a Goodreads Choice Award, The Maid, and all the ways she used her past as an editor and her knowledge of the tropes of mystery writing reused to create it. Plus, she brings along Nina de Gramont's The Christie Affair, because who can ever get enough Agatha Christie? contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    196: Tom Ayling (Antiquarian Book Seller & TikToker) & David Pearson's SPEAKING VOLUMES

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2023 66:15


    Antiquarian Bookseller and TikTok star Tom Ayling zooms on in to the Damn Library discuss the world of antiquarian books, and the world of book-centered TikTok, two worlds that are far more complementary than you'd imagine. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    195: Top 2022 Reads with Sarah

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 34:49


    Sarah joins me in the Damn Library she co-owns to chat about favorite reads of 2022, both books published this year and books experienced this year. Plus, the HarperCollins union is on strike! If you'd like to help out, check out this page here to donate to the strike fund, and check out more information at this link roundup. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    194: Alison Watts (transl. Seishu Hase's THE BOY AND THE DOG) & Peter Heller's THE DOG STARS

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 60:59


    Alison Watts zooms through the Damn Library hypserspace from Japan to talk the new novel she translated, The Boy and the Dog by Seishu Hase, as well as the life of a translator. Plus, we talk the prevalence of Japanese cat fiction, the ascendancy of dog fiction, canine noir, and so much more. Plus, she brings along (and does some light spoiling of) Peter Heller's The Dog Stars, a shaggy dog of a post-apocalyptic novel. Quite a hang! contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    193: Ashley Hutson's (ONE'S COMPANY) & Lindsay Hall's SEA OF HOOKS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2022 53:20


    Ashley Hutson, author of Christopher's favorite novel of 2022, One's Company, drops into the Damn Library to discuss the joy of writing a novel based on a favorite sitcom, writing a novel chronologically and then interweaving it, and how publishing a novel is quite different than the dream of publishing a novel. Plus, she brings along Lindsay Hill's Sea of Hooks, which leads into a robust recommendation section of a few extremely sad and difficult books. contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    sea hooks hutson lindsay hill
    192: Kevin Wilson (NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PANIC) & Blair Braverman's SMALL GAME

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 61:03


    Kevin Wilson zooms in from his mountain to discuss his thrilling new novel, Now is Not the Time to Panic, and that means going into writing teenagers, the pre-Internet world, and magic disappearing as one gets older, and how that's okay, along with a whole lotta other stuff. Plus, he brings along Blair Braverman's Small Game, which means survival talk and reality television.  contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    191: Kate Beaton (DUCKS: TWO YEARS IN THE OIL SANDS) & Michelle Paver's DARK MATTER

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2022 60:15


    Legendary comic artist and writer Kate Beaton drops into the Damn Library and talks about her monumental achievement — her new memoir, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, and all that comes with it, including excavating memories, showing her parents a painful past, and how comics can be a type of memory palace. Plus, she brings along Michelle Paver's Dark Matter, and we both talk about how we get spooked and how dogs are great. You gotta listen! contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com music: Disaster Magic (https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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