Elton Reads A Book A Week

Elton Edgar

A random book, a different subject, Elton wades into each one sharing the best of what he discovers, and uncovers in each volume. Ludicrously sardonic, dark, funny, irreverent, and witty, the subjects range from UFOs, time travel, and the science behind "evil", to the lives of rock stars, and Hollywood. There's never a dull moment! It's time to enter this endless library, and see where it takes you...

  1. Short-isode: State's Nicknames (“You just caught a palm strike to yo baby batter bag, bitch!”)

    MAR 25

    Short-isode: State's Nicknames (“You just caught a palm strike to yo baby batter bag, bitch!”)

    So, this week I decided to take a break from the heavy lifting of a full novel to look at something equally weird: why the places we live have such bizarre "official" handles. Honestly, if you actually look into where state nicknames come from, it’s rarely a group of dignified founders sitting around a table. It’s usually just a bunch of 19th-century dudes making fun of each other until someone decided to put the insult on a license plate. What we're getting into: The Original Trolls: We talk about how a place like Missouri ended up with the "Show-Me" label. Spoiler: It wasn’t a compliment. It was basically a way of calling people from the Ozarks a little too "slow on the uptake" to understand a joke. The Nutmeg Scam: Connecticut is out here calling itself the "Constitution State" now, but back in the day, they were the "Nutmeg State" because their traders were legendary for selling fake, wooden spices to unsuspecting tourists. It’s basically the 1800s version of a crypto rug-pull. The Gopher Pivot: You’ve got Minnesota, which somehow turned a mean-spirited political cartoon about corrupt politicians into a cute mascot. It’s like if we started calling a state "The Dumpster Fire State" and then fifty years later everyone was wearing Dumpster Fire hats at football games. Bird Identity Politics: Why is Alabama obsessed with a "Yellowhammer"? And since when is a "Blue Hen" the peak of toughness in Delaware? We’re looking at the weirdly specific wildlife obsession that defines half the South. Silver vs. Dirt: Nevada’s constant struggle between wanting to sound like a treasure chest and admitting it’s mostly just covered in sagebrush. From the "Dark and Bloody Ground" of Kentucky to the "Sunshine" branding that hides a lot of corporate secrets, we’re digging into the labels we inherited. It’s a messy, hilarious, and totally nonsensical look at American self-branding. Give it a listen, stop yelling at traffic for ten minutes, and then go read a book. Seriously. Keep the brain cells firing, folks. GET THE BOOK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠From Amazon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠From an Indie Book Seller⁠⁠⁠ BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tips!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join the Discord server!⁠⁠ EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode-- THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Asian Blaxploitation actors, characters, etc., Alaska, Nebraska, well, all the states mentioned, if I'm being honest. A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration. SHOW NOTES: Content TypeSoloPrimary GoalEducationalSummaryThis episode explores the quirky, controversial, and often disturbing origins of U.S. state nicknames, revealing their historical, cultural, and political significance.Keywordsstate nicknames, American history, U.S. states, cultural symbols, political history, folklore, racism, land rush, Native American historyKey Topics Origins of state nicknames in the 1800sRacism and political slogans in nicknamesLand rushes and land theft in OklahomaNative American history and treatiesCultural and political symbolism in nicknamesThe Hidden Histories Behind U.S. State NicknamesHow Racism and Land Theft Shaped American State Names"Tar Heel was an insult turned state pride""Gopher nickname from political cartoon in 1858""Yellow Hammer is a woodpecker, not a kung fu hero"Guest NametitlesSound BitesChapters00:00Introduction to State Nicknames 03:09The Origins of State Nicknames 06:16Missouri: The Show Me State 08:47North Carolina: The Tar Heel State 12:00Connecticut: The Nutmeg State14:48Indiana: The Hoosier State 18:11Minnesota: The Gopher State 21:12Delaware: The Diamond State 24:06Alabama: The Yellow Hammer State 27:03Nevada: The Silver State 30:00Kentucky: The Bluegrass State 33:12Oklahoma: The Sooner State 36:05Reflections on State Nicknames

    47 min
  2. "Cranky Goes to Boom Boom Town" - "The Arrest" by Jonathan Lethem

    MAR 13

    "Cranky Goes to Boom Boom Town" - "The Arrest" by Jonathan Lethem

    "Under the watchful eyes of Bob's Stratos and Apollo..." This week Elton is asking the big questions: What do you do when the world ends, not with a bang, but with a sudden, awkward silence? In this special crossover event, Elton is joined by the one and only Glen Nuzzle from the Nuzzle House podcast to unpack Jonathan Lethem’s post-technological fever dream, The Arrest. Imagine the "Off" switch for the entire world was flipped. No internet, no cars, no planes—just a sudden, quiet return to a pastoral life. This is the world of Sandy “Journeyman” Duplessis, a former Hollywood script doctor now living a humble life in rural Maine, delivering organic rutabagas and trying to forget his past. But the past has a way of showing up in a nuclear-powered, drill-nosed super-machine. When Sandy’s old frenemy, the legendary (and legendarily ego-maniacal) producer Peter Todbaum, rolls into town in the "Blue Streak," he brings more than just forbidden technology—he brings the toxic baggage of Hollywood storytelling to a world that was finally learning to live without it. The Ultimate Rivalry: We dive into the petty, hilarious tension between a man who just wants to garden and a man who refuses to stop being the protagonist. Post-Apocalypse... with Vibes: Is it a dystopia, or just a really long camping trip? Lethem flips the script on traditional "end of the world" tropes. A "Nuzzle" Worthy Discussion: Glen Nuzzle brings his signature style to the table, helping Elton navigate the surreal landscapes and meta-commentary that only Lethem can provide. "It’s a story about the stories we tell ourselves to survive, and what happens when those stories are delivered by a man in a giant metal mole-car." Whether you’re a fan of high-concept literary sci-fi or you just enjoy hearing two guys talk about the absurdity of a nuclear-powered drill in a potato field, this episode is for you. GET THE BOOK: ⁠⁠⁠From Amazon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠From an Indie Book Seller⁠⁠ BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tips!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Join the Discord server!⁠ EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode-- THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Clowns...again, flatulence, New York...again, those that get easily tricked, Penthouse Forum, and much, much more. A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration.

    2h 6m
  3. "Ain't the death of capitalism great!" Zoom: Surprising Ways to Supercharge Your Career by Daniel Roberts

    11/19/2025

    "Ain't the death of capitalism great!" Zoom: Surprising Ways to Supercharge Your Career by Daniel Roberts

    Is your career in a tailspin? Have you been wandering blindly from one dead-end job to the next, hoping the universe will throw you a bone? Well, great news—wealthy CEOs are here to tell you how to fix your life! In this week’s episode of Elton Reads A Book A Week, Elton dives into Fortune Zoom: Surprising Ways to Supercharge Your Career—a book where Fortune Magazine corrals its “40 Under 40” wunderkinds to dispense what they believe passes for practical career advice. Is it useful? Maybe. Is it relatable? Absolutely not. But does Elton’s brain snap in increasingly entertaining ways as he tries to make sense of it? Oh, very much so. From Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s crusade for “company culture,” to closets full of costumes for adults, to Marissa Mayer yeeting herself from Google into Yahoo’s hot seat—you’ll hear what these innovators supposedly did to “supercharge” their careers, and how you (a normal human with bills) are supposedly meant to do the same. Packed with maniacal rants, sharp satire, and the occasional inspirational nugget buried under layers of skepticism, this episode explores the realities of hard work, risk-taking, and the glossy mythmaking behind success stories. Plus, Elton tries to decide whether this advice is motivational, delusional, or just really good comedy fodder. Come listen to Elton’s brain break. It’s educational… in its own way. GET THE BOOK: ⁠⁠⁠From Amazon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠From an Indie Book Seller⁠⁠ - Sorry, no listing for the indies. Damn. BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy me a coffee here!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠⁠⁠ The Elton Reads A Book A Week Substack! ⁠Join the Discord server!⁠ Other podcasts Elton is in: Two Books, One Cup! EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode-- THE APOLOGIES SECTION: People wanting actual career advice, the people of The Great Depression, concert goers, mental patients, ramen, careers... A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration. #EltonReadsABookAWeek #BookPodcast #ComedyPodcast #FunnyBookReview #BookDiscussion #BookTalk #CareerSuccess #SuperchargeYourCareer #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipTips #BusinessTips #CareerDevelopment #WorkplaceWisdom #YoungEntrepreneurs #BusinessLeaders #Innovators #40Under40 #StartupStories #EntrepreneurLife #TakeRisks #ThinkDifferently #HardWorkPaysOff #CompanyCulture #BusinessMindset #SuccessStrategies #InspirationDaily #AspiringEntrepreneurs #FutureLeaders #BusinessBook #CareerMotivation #SelfImprovement #GrowthMindset #Zappos #UnderArmour #MarissaMayer #TonyHsieh #KevinPlank

    1h 27m
  4. Short-isode: "The Worst Business Deal In American History"

    09/21/2025

    Short-isode: "The Worst Business Deal In American History"

    Imagine you're the person that could have bought Amazon stock for $18.00 per share or maybe Microsoft at $21 per share, better still, Facebook, Coca-Cola, and Apple at their initial public offerings. Now, imagine you could have bought into any of those kinds of PHENOMENALLY profitable companies BEFORE they went public. Finally, imagine you did just that, got in on the ground floor, and still...somehow...managed to come out on the losing end. This is that story. GET THE BOOK FROM AMAZON: ⁠The Best of The Best of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader GET THE BOOK FROM AN INDEPENDENT BOOK SELLER: The Best of The Best of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader⁠ BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE: ⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Tips!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠ ⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠ EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode-- THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Uncle John, patient people, people that like longer episodes, and listeners like you. THANKS: Thank you for listening and sharing this podcast with others. It means a lot. I appreciate it, sincerely. A special thanks to Diedrich Bader, Jenna Fischer, and Steve Guttenburg for all their inspiration. [business, worst deal, American history, history, comedy, podcast, funny, company, corporations, corporate history, Ford, Model T, Daisy, bb gun, Henry Ford, business deal, near miss, hindsight]

    35 min
  5. Short-isode: The Welsh Madman Who Declared War on Reality (And Won) with Nothing But Books

    08/19/2025

    Short-isode: The Welsh Madman Who Declared War on Reality (And Won) with Nothing But Books

    Picture this: It's the 1960s, your Welsh hometown is dying, and everyone's telling you to accept reality and move to London. Instead, you read about American libraries closing down and think, "You know what? Opportunity." So you buy crates of abandoned books, ship them to Wales, open a bookshop in an old fire station, purchase a medieval castle, and turn it into a 24-hour honor-system bookstore. Then, for your next trick, you declare your town an independent kingdom and crown yourself monarch. The media goes insane, tourism explodes, and suddenly your "joke" has spawned dozens of copycat book towns worldwide and an international literary festival that attracts more visitors than your entire town's population. Meet Richard Booth, the Oxford-educated madman who proved that sometimes the most ridiculous ideas are also the most brilliant. This is the story of Hay-on-Wye: the town that books built, the kingdom that never was but somehow still exists, and the beautiful audacity of believing that literature can literally save the world—one used paperback at a time. GET A BOOK ABOUT IT HERE: To support independent book shops use this link. Or to just use Amazon use this link. BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tips!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Join the Discord server!⁠ EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode-- THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Pee-pees, horse politicians, Pac-man, decent people, Hay-on-Wye, the 1960s, fictional pregnancies, etc. A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration. [Books, True Story, Biography, Welsh History, Independent Bookstores, Small Town Success, Entrepreneurship, Literature, Tourism, Medieval History, Book Towns, Hay-on-Wye, Richard Booth, Hay Festival, Used Books, Secondhand Books, Literary Tourism, Book Collecting, Wales Travel, Castle History, Eccentric, Self-Made King, Visionary, Maverick, Underdog Story, Against All Odds, Audacious, Unconventional Success, Supporting Local Business, Anti-Corporate, Community Revival, Sustainable Business, Cultural Preservation, Historic Preservation, Honor System, Trust-Based Economy, Comedy Podcast, Educational Entertainment, History Podcast, British History, European History, Business Success Story, Cultural Stories, Travel Stories, Inspiring, Funny, Unbelievable, Motivational, Quirky, Heartwarming, Revolutionary, Transformational, "How books saved a town", "Real life kingdom", "Medieval castle bookstore", "Honor system bookshop", "Self-proclaimed king"]

    46 min
  6. "Killa-B" 'i am Brian Wilson' by Brian Wilson, Ben Greenman

    08/07/2025

    "Killa-B" 'i am Brian Wilson' by Brian Wilson, Ben Greenman

    Brian Wilson had a gift, and a curse. His mind worked in a magically musical way, in that he could "see" whole, elaborate songs all in his head. It also allowed him to manifest those wonderful ideas in the real world, via the help of his family and friends. It would lead him to cofound a group that would change pop music forever, and have his particular genius recognized the world over as a unique and singular voice in the pantheon of singer-songwriters and composers.His mind was also his worst enemy that would send him spiraling into madness and self loathing that he would turn to drugs and nefarious characters for help, eventually becoming a recluse and musical oddity."As a cofounding member of the Beach Boys in the 1960s, Wilson created some of the most groundbreaking and timeless popular music ever recorded, forever expanding the possibilities of pop songwriting. Derailed in the 1970s by mental illness, drug use, and the shifting fortunes of the band, Wilson came back again and again over the next few decades, surviving and--finally--thriving. Now he weighs in on the sources of his creative inspiration and on his struggles, the exhilarating highs and the debilitating lows. Whether he's talking about his childhood, his bandmates, or his own inner demons, Wilson's story, told in his own voice and in his own way, unforgettably illuminates the man behind the music, working through the turbulence and discord to achieve, at last, a new harmony." Join Elton as he ventures through Brian Wilson's second attempt at a memoir, and listen to him wrestle with guilt about taking advantage of the dead. Um,...oh, that came out wrong.GET THE BOOK: ⁠⁠From Amazon⁠ ⁠From an Indie Book Seller⁠ BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE: ⁠⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Tips!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠⁠ Join the Discord server! EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode-- THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Beach Boy fans, Brian Wilson's ghost, falsetto singers, gangster rappers, Elton John (probably), Bernie Taupin (also probably)... A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration.

    1h 38m
  7. "Arthur C. Clarke--Sci-Fi Junkie" '2001: A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clarke

    07/06/2025

    "Arthur C. Clarke--Sci-Fi Junkie" '2001: A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clarke

    Elton's diving into Arthur C. Clarke's absolute acid trip of a book (okay, maybe just the ending), "2001: A Space Odyssey" – you know, the one with the soft spoken computer that murders it's crew to keep a secret? [SPOILERS] And those mysterious black rectangles that basically trolled humanity for millions of years. Here's what's happening this episode: Who was Arthur C. Clarke anyway? Turns out the guy invented the satellites that keep your phone connected to the world...in the 1940s. He even predicted we'd all be doom-scrolling on the internet way before anyone knew what WiFi was. Plus, he was part of sci-fi's holy trinity with Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein. So, a nerd circle jerk. Well, maybe not...THAT, but a pretty important guy. He did well for guy who started out fiddling with radar during WWII. Join Elton as he walks through this wild ride from cavemen discovering tools to humans becoming space gods. There's evolution, mystery, and murder A.I., and honestly? A lot of nerdly nerd stuff that'll make your brain EXPAND in the best way. Don't worry – Elton takes a brunt of the load. The Clarke-Kubrick team-up: Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick basically wrote the book and movie at the same time, which sounds like a nightmare but somehow worked. They turned a short story called "The Sentinel" (Arthur hates that) and turn it into the most mind-f*cking sci-fi movie ever made, though it wasn't all dry humping and champagne. Whether you're into classic sci-fi, love a good book-to-movie story, or just want to understand why HAL 9000 is everyone's least favorite AI, this episode's got you covered. Fair warning: you might have an existential crisis. So, go easy on the sci-fi. GET THE BOOK: ⁠From Amazon From an Indie Book Seller BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE: ⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Tips!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠ ⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠ EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode-- THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Sci-fi fans, nerds, Arthur C. Clarke, special effects teams, drug addicts, spoilers, and other nerds. A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration. [MUSIC]Arabesken über 'An der schönen blauen Donau' von Johann Strauss (Schulz-Evler, Adolf) Charlie Albright (Piano)Publisher Info.Boston: Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumCopyrightCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Also sprach Zarathustra, Op.30 (Strauss, Richard) University of Chicago Orchestra (orchestra)Barbara Schubert (conductor)Publisher Info.Chicago: University of Chicago OrchestraCopyrightCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Misc. NotesPerformed 27 May 2000, Mandel Hall. From archive.org.

    1h 34m
  8. "Smirkstibator" The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

    06/08/2025

    "Smirkstibator" The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

    Join Elton as he stumbles through the lives of two women; one real, one fake. This time around Elton's irreverence locks onto "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue", a book all about cutting deals with the devil, living forever, and learning that, when cutting a deal with Satan, it's all about the details. On his hilarious journey, Elton discovers the nature of how others affect your identity, and what a Faustian bargain is all about. Come along,...and stop all that "smirkstibating." "France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever―and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name." GET THE BOOK: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E Schwab Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Tips!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠ EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode-- THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Satan, God, fanatical Christians, Rodney Mullen, Tony Hawk, skateboarders from the "Golden Age", and psychologists, and Goethe. A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration. [Addie LaRue, V.E. Schwab, invisible life, forgotten curse, immortal woman, dark fantasy romance, contemporary fantasy, book review comedy, YA fantasy, adult fantasy crossover, Faustian bargain, deal with devil, supernatural contracts, cursed deals, immortality curse, dark magic, price of wishes, soul selling, supernatural consequences, devil's bargain, looking glass self, social identity, self perception, identity crisis, how others see us, social psychology, Charles Horton Cooley, invisible identity, forgotten existence, social reflection theory, book comedy podcast, funny book review, literary humor, book roast, comedy book club, sarcastic book review, witty literary analysis, humorous fantasy review, book parody, literary comedy, fantasy podcast, book podcast, solo podcast, literary podcast, bookish humor, reading comedy, book discussion, fantasy book review, romance fantasy, dark academia adjacent, book recommendations, fantasy book lovers, bookstagram, booktok, book community, reading humor, literary memes, book obsessed]

    1h 44m
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4.6
out of 5
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About

A random book, a different subject, Elton wades into each one sharing the best of what he discovers, and uncovers in each volume. Ludicrously sardonic, dark, funny, irreverent, and witty, the subjects range from UFOs, time travel, and the science behind "evil", to the lives of rock stars, and Hollywood. There's never a dull moment! It's time to enter this endless library, and see where it takes you...

Information

  • Creator
    Elton Edgar
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Elton Edgar
  • Show Website
    Elton Reads A Book A Week