The Yak Babies Book Podcast

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Yak Babies is a weekly book podcast that brings a mix of reviews, discussions, games, and read-a-longs to fellow readers who are sick of the same old stodgy book podcasts. We focus on literature, and regularly discuss comics, video games, and other media as well.

Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road


    • Aug 1, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 23m AVG DURATION
    • 218 EPISODES

    5 from 17 ratings Listeners of The Yak Babies Book Podcast that love the show mention: presidents, books, talk, excellent.


    Ivy Insights

    The Yak Babies Book Podcast is a refreshing and unique addition to the world of book podcasts. Unlike many other podcasts in this genre, the hosts of The Yak Babies do not shy away from giving their honest and critical opinions about the books they discuss. This provides a nice contrast to the often breathless agents who seem to love everything that comes out.

    One of the best aspects of The Yak Babies is the chemistry between the three hosts. Their banter is witty and engaging, and their discussions are insightful and thought-provoking. They have a great balance of humor and intelligence, which makes for an enjoyable listening experience. Additionally, they cover a wide range of genres and authors, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

    Another strong point of this podcast is its format. Each episode focuses on one specific book or topic, allowing for in-depth analysis and discussion. This format allows listeners to really dive into the book being discussed and explore different perspectives on it. It also helps to keep the episodes focused and organized.

    While there are many positive aspects to The Yak Babies Book Podcast, there are a few areas where it could improve. Firstly, as mentioned in one of the reviews, they don't always talk about books or book-related topics. While diversifying the content can be interesting, it can sometimes feel like a departure from what initially drew listeners to the podcast.

    Additionally, some listeners may find that the hosts' strong opinions can be off-putting at times. While it's great to have honest critiques, there might be moments where it seems like they are overly harsh on certain books or authors. However, this does add an element of excitement as you never know which book will end up being praised or torn apart.

    In conclusion, The Yak Babies Book Podcast is an excellent listen for anyone interested in books and literature. With its mix of humor, intelligence, and critical analysis, it offers a refreshing take on discussing literature that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking. Despite its minor flaws, this podcast is a standout in its genre and definitely worth a listen for book lovers.



    Search for episodes from The Yak Babies Book Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Yak Babies Book Podcast

    259- Yak Picks: Graphic Novels

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 11:11


    The pals share out their favorite comics and graphic novels.

    258- Foreign Words in Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 19:51


    The pals sift between to ersatz and the echt when it comes to reasons for authors dropping foreign words in their writing.

    257- Tracking Reading

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 18:30


    The pals discuss how they keep track of what they read, and it turns out each has a very different process.

    256- Reading v. Buying

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 24:01


    The pals discuss buying books and if they read books the buy right away (or at all). Nico asks the pals what they do with books after they read them.

    255- Yak Picks: Fantasy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 15:19


    The personal pals share their favorite fantasy novels, and try to tease out the differnece between high and low fantasy.

    254- White Noise (2022)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 28:09


    The pals ditch Dave to talk about Noah Baumbach's 2022 Netflix adaptation of DeLillo's novel.

    253- Genderqueer; Road of Bones; Years of Rice and Salt; Homegoing; Maame; Kindred; Ink Blood Sister Scribe; Marlena; Counterfeit; Wide Sargasso Sea; The Spy Who Loved Me

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 25:45


    Books touched on: Genderqueer, by Maia Kobabe; Road of Bones, by Christopher Golden, Years of Rice and Salt, by Kim Stanley Robinson; Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi; Maame, by Jessica George; Kindred, by Ocatavia Butler and Damian Duffy; Ink Blood Sister Scribe, by Emma Torzs; Marlena, by Julie Buntin; Counterfeit, by Kirstin Chen; Comedy Bang Bang The Podcast The Book, by Scott Aukerman; Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys; The Spy Who Loved Me, by Ian Fleming.

    252- Aversions When Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2024 16:53


    Aaron asks the pals what they think of writers intentionally omitting personal hang-ups (like drinking or smoking) from their writing.

    251- What Happened to the Hugos?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 13:26


    The pals discuss the recent controversy with the Hugo awards, as well as the challenge of self-censorship in the modern era.

    250- Ryka Aoki's Light from Uncommon Stars - Canon or Cannon 2.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 56:06


    The pals did a group read of Ryka Aoki's sci-fi novel Light from Uncommon Stars. Will it stand the test of time or be shot into the ocean of forgotten books?

    249- The Heart of It All; Kavalier & Clay; Small Mercies; Remarkably Bright Creatures; Wild Ones; Foster; The Mysteries; Last Ronin Lost Years; Doppelgänger

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 39:40


    Books this month: The Heart of It All, by Christian Keefer; The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon; Small Mercies, by Dennis Lehane; Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt; The Wild Ones, by John Mooallem; Foster, by Claire Keegan; The Mysteries, by Bill Watterson and John Kascht; The Last Ronin- The Lost Years, by Kevin Eastman; Doppelganger, by Naomi Kline; Classic X-Men.

    248- Response to 18 Tips for Reading

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 33:21


    Who is Tyler Cowan and does he do cocaine?

    247- Reading Resolutions for 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2024 16:31


    The pals close the book on 2023 and chat about what they are looking forward to in the new year.

    246- 2023 Year in Reading Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2023 32:49


    The pals share their best (and worst) reading experiences of 2023.

    245- Don DeLillo's White Noise - Canon or Cannon 2.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 54:21


    The pals all read Don DeLillo's 1985 novel, White Noise. Should it be enshrined int he canon or blasted into the sea by cannon?

    244b- Yak Picks: Horror Flicks

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 29:49


    The pals follow up the episode on horror novels with an episode sharing their favorite horror movies and shows, including their individual Mt. Horrormores.

    244- Yak Picks: Horror

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 18:24


    The pals share their favorite horror novels.

    243- Intros and Backmatter

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 22:38


    The pals discuss books with forwards and afterwards. Do you read them or skip those parts? What about supplementary matter in comics and other media?

    backmatter
    242- Yak Picks: Mysteries

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 13:55


    The pals discuss their favorite mystery and thriller novels.

    241- Questions About Book Reviewing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 25:49


    Nico asks his pals if friends are owed an automatic 5 stars on Goodreads. Is giving 4 stars and asshole move? Also, do people still read professional book reviews?

    240- Phone Addiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 31:33


    Brick is increasingly vexed by his phone's grip on his time and wonders if phones are making us dumber. Bonus Bro2Bro included!

    239- Yak Picks: Science Fiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 19:41


    The pals discuss their favorite sci-fi novels.

    238- Kaya; Mouse Guard; Moonshadow; Marlfox; Kitchens of the Great Midwest; Wool; Demolition Angel; The Hunter; The Great Transition; ”Mall of America”; 33 1/3; It Never Ends; Endzone

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 37:00


    Books this month: Kaya, by Craig Wes; Mouse Guard, by David Petersen; The Compleat Moonshadow, by Jean Marc DeMatteis; Marlfox, by Brian Jacques; Kitchens of the Great Midwest, by J. Ryan Stradal; Wool, by Hugh Howey; Demolition Angel, by Robert Crais; The Hunter, by Jennifer Herrera; The Great Transition, by Nick Fuller Googins; "Mall of America" by Susanne Wang; 33 1/3 Aja, by Don Breithaupt; 33 1/3 Come Away with ESG, by Sherry Percy; It Never Ends, by Tom Sharpling; Endzone, by Don DeLillo.

    237- Toni Morrison's Beloved - Canon or Cannon 2.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 43:51


    The pals read and review Toni Morrison' brutal and haunting novel 1987 Beloved. It's generally recognized as a masterpiece, will the Yaks keep it in the canon or shoot it into the sea? The deliberation may not be as clear cut as you thing. NOTE: our Patreon has not reached the level at which we can afford an on-staff factchecker. Some interpretations of historical facts by the Yaks may not be wholly accurate.

    236- Yak Picks: Short Story Collections

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 20:57


    The pals share their favorite short story collections as well as a list of runners up they enjoy.

    235- AI Writing Part 2: Sudo Elf Trap

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2023 37:21


    The pals enlist the AI chatbot Sudo to write the first draft of the long promised Elf Trap novella. Nico commits to proving he's smarter than a robot.

    234- Reading Books in Translation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 18:55


    The plebeian pals discuss reading books written in languages other than English.

    233- Yak Picks: 21st Century Literature

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2023 13:44


    The pals share their favorite titles of the last 23 years, and a surprise Canon or Cannon decision is made.

    232- Memorable Short Stories Assigned in Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 25:56


    The pals recount stories they read in grade school that stuck with them.

    231- Comics Roulette 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 23:16


    Aaron shares some comics first issues he thinks his pals will enjoy.

    230- Yak Picks: 20th Century Lit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 14:59


    The pals share their favorite novels from the 20th century.

    229- Memorable Antagonists

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 27:13


    The pals discuss antagonists that have stuck in their minds.

    228- Euphoria; Writers and Lovers; Lessons in Chemisty The Last Housewife; I Have Some Questions for You; You Only Live Twice; Astro City Vol 2; All the Marvels; 33 1/3 Unknown Pleasures

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2023 19:55


    Books this time: Euphoria, by Lily King; Writers and Lovers, by Lily King; Lessons in Chemisty, by Bonnie Garmus; The Last Housewife, by Ashley Winstead; I Have Some Questions for You, by Rebecca Makkai; You Only Live Twice, by Ian Fleming; Astro City Vol 2, by Kurt Busiak; All the Marvels, by Douglas Wolk; 33 1/3 Unknown Pleasures, by Chris Ott.r

    227- Underrated Authors

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 25:37


    The pals discuss some great authors that don't seem to ge the love and attention they deserve.

    226- Yak Picks: 19th Century Lit

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2023 18:18


    The pals share their favorite reads from the 19th century (and earlier).

    225- Memorable Plot Twists

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 32:07


    The pals discuss plot twists as a narrative device and examples of when it has worked well or not.

    224- Reaction to ”How to make students hate English”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 25:56


    The pals react to Pamela Paul's NYTimes op-ed "How to make students hate English"

    223- Books That Made Us Uncomfortable

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 26:31


    The pals share some reading experiences that were difficult, whether by making them feel unease or revulsion, or because it challenged their thinking.

    222- AI Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2023 39:39


    The pals talk about the implications of ChatGPT and "creative" AI technology on writing and teaching.

    221- The Song of Pentecost; Anger; Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone; The Writing Retreat; I'm Glad My Mom Died; A Heart that Works; The Candy House; The Human Target

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 33:14


    Books this time: The Song of Pentecost, by W.J. Corbett; Anger, by Thicht Naht Hahn; One Story; Boulevard; Boston Review; Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, by Benjamin Stephenson; The Writing Retreat, by Julia Bartz; I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy; A Heart that Works, by Rob Delaney; The Candy House, by Jennifer Egan; 33 1/3: Highway to Hell, by Joe Bonomo and Unknown Pleasures, by Chris Ott; The Human Target, by Tom King.

    220- Nico's Masterclass Hot Takes Vol. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 28:36


    Nico brings a fresh batch of spicy literary takes to share with the pals.

    219- Dana Spiotta's Stone Arabia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2023 47:57


    Next in our recommendation roulette of Secret Santa books, Aaron read Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta upon Dave's recommendation.

    218- Who is the Most Overrated Author?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2023 12:50


    The pals each share the name of the author they think is most overrated in reputation.

    217- Historical Fiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 25:18


    That is the role of responsibility of fact in historical fiction? Is there a distinction between historical fiction and fiction in an historical setting?

    216- Tommy Orange's There There - Canon or Cannon 2.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2023 38:34


    The pals read Tommy Orange's acclaimed 2018 novel There There and consider whether it should be canonized or launched into the sea.

    215- The Best Bookstores

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 21:22


    The pals share the names and features of their favorite bookstores.

    214- Books Everyone Should Read

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 21:31


    The pals each share three books they think everyone in the world would benefit from reading.

    213- What Makes a Story Compelling?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 11:14


    The pals discuss what about a story hooks them and makes them want to read more.

    212- Alan Moore's From Hell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2023 52:01


    The next assignment in the pals' Secret Santa / Reading Roulette. Aaron assigns Nico to read Alan Moore's historical fiction Jack the Ripper comic opus From Hell. Bricks joins as well.

    211- Reading Resolutions for 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2023 18:57


    The pals share their reading goals for the coming year as well as introduce their new meta game: Brag Points.

    210- The Best Books We Read in 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2023 31:19


    The personal pals discuss the best books they read in 2022, very few of which were actually written in 2022.

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