Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
  • 4.7 (12)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

Hey we are the Mere Mortals and we review books of all genres/styles but with an emphasis on those that have stood the test of time (the 'classics' if you will). Join us on Weekly live episode on Thurs 11am AEST (Thurs 1am UTC+0) plus bonus episodes from my cohost Juan.

  1. 1d ago

    Homer’s Odyssey: Still Worth Reading Today?

    In this Mere Mortals book review, I talk through The Odyssey by Homer the famous follow-up companion to The Iliad, and one of the great adventure stories of the Western canon. Compared with The Iliad, I found The Odyssey much more readable, more story-driven, and honestly more enjoyable. This is the great soldier-returning-home story: Odysseus trying to make his way back to Ithaca after the Trojan War, while Telemachus searches for answers, Penelope holds off the suitors, and the gods keep interfering with everyone’s lives. 0:00 Intro — The Odyssey after The Iliad 0:54 The basic structure of The Odyssey 1:18 Odysseus, Ulysses and the journey home 2:03 Telemachus, Penelope and the suitors 2:43 Where Odysseus has been 3:09 Cyclops, monsters and the famous adventures 3:46 Returning to Ithaca 4:04 The original soldier-coming-home story 4:25 Why The Odyssey reads better than The Iliad 5:02 The book that kept me reading at night 6:00 Why this story has lasted 7:10 Iliad vs Odyssey: rage vs cunning 8:19 Major themes: home, temptation, storytelling and justice 10:03 The parts I skimmed 10:43 Should you read The Iliad first? 11:37 Final thoughts on The Odyssey 12:26 Final recommendation Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@meremortalsnotes Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    13 min
  2. The Hairy Ass Of The Art World | Get The Picture (Bianca Bosker) BOOK REVIEW

    Jun 24

    The Hairy Ass Of The Art World | Get The Picture (Bianca Bosker) BOOK REVIEW

    Art is hairy, art is context, art is beauty and ..... art is big butts!? In this episode, I dive into 'Get the Picture' by Bianca Bosker, a 2024 book that explores the contemporary art world from the inside. Bosker approaches it through immersive journalism, working as a gallery assistant, art fair staffer, studio helper, museum guard and briefly as an artist herself. What I found most compelling was how the book uses those experiences to wrestle with the big questions: what counts as art, whether art is about beauty or context and how much of the industry is driven by genuine appreciation versus status, money and insider games. I talk through the parts of the book that felt especially grotesque to me — the pretension, the coded language, the collector ego, and the sense that access and reputation often matter more than the work itself. Thankfully, the book also shows a far more meaningful side of art. I discuss the sections that felt uplifting and enlightening, especially Bosker’s time with artists, collectors and museum guards who engage deeply with artworks and encourage slow, personal looking rather than outsourced interpretation. That side of the book helped me understand why art still matters and why people are drawn to it so powerfully. Overall, I came away feeling that the art world isn’t inherently broken so much as structurally lopsided, with highly passionate creators often vulnerable to exploitation. I really enjoyed Bosker’s writing, admired the depth of her reporting and would recommend to give it a read.  If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline:  (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:10) Bianca Bosker's immersive tour of the art world (00:04:45) The pretence, power and status games of art (00:08:51) Shock art and the question of what counts as art (00:13:07) A more meaningful and uplifting side of art (00:16:16) Is the art world inherently broken? (00:21:20) Bianca Bosker's journalism (00:25:02) Final Verdict (00:27:20) Short hiatus and podcast closing notes  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    29 min
  3. Philosophy Mixed With Business | Zero To One (Peter Thiel) BOOK REVIEW

    Jun 17

    Philosophy Mixed With Business | Zero To One (Peter Thiel) BOOK REVIEW

    Abstract ideas made definite. In this episode of Mere Mortals book reviews, I dive into Peter Thiel’s 'Zero To One' and why its big-picture thinking resonates more than tactical business how‑to. I explore Thiel’s blend of abstract philosophy and concrete startup stories (from PayPal to Palantir) and discuss his contrarian takes on competition, monopoly and the value of being the last mover. I unpack the optimistic vs pessimistic, determinate vs indeterminate lens Thiel uses to read cultures and markets and why these frames can guide founders to build something truly unique rather than drift into “zombie company” territory. I share what made the book engaging for me, where it might fall short if you’re after nuts-and-bolts execution and who I think will get the most out of it. Ultimately, it’s a concise, idea-rich read that can reorient how you think about differentiation, market definition and creating from zero to one. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:35) Introducing Zero to One by Peter Thiel (00:04:27) Contrasting with other business classics (00:07:41) Why high‑level ideas can beat operational minutiae (00:11:03) Who is Peter Thiel? Background and ventures (00:12:52) Verdict: a solid read for entrepreneurs (00:14:00) Value for Value: how to support the show (00:15:08) What’s next: upcoming book reviews  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    16 min
  4. Like Me Please! | How To Win Friends & Influence People (Dale Carnegie) BOOK REVIEW

    Jun 10

    Like Me Please! | How To Win Friends & Influence People (Dale Carnegie) BOOK REVIEW

    I'm begging you PLEASE, I'll be your very best friend. In this episode I review Dale Carnegie’s classic 'How to Win Friends & Influence People' nearly a century on from its publication. I walk through the book’s structure: principles on handling people, making people like you, winning others to your way of thinking and leading without resentment. Timeless advice still shines (smile, remember names, be genuinely interested, listen well) but some parts feels dated (the slow course‑shilling intro and lack of psychological depth on becoming “genuinely” interested). I also dig into the tension at the heart of the book: wanting friends and influence while being told to act without obvious self‑interest. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:52) Book structure overview: parts and principles (00:06:31) Key principles sampled: smile, names, listen, importance (00:11:17) Childhood lens on making friends and sorting people (00:13:41) Author background: Dale Carnegie’s path and motives (00:17:19) The hard part: becoming genuinely interested (00:20:34) Does it hold up? A dated yet durable self‑help classic (00:22:29) Wrap‑up, support links and what’s next  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    24 min

  5. Jun 6

    The Iliad by Homer: Rage, Glory & Why This Ancient Epic Still Hits Hard | Book Review

    Most people approach The Iliad expecting the Trojan Horse. Instead, they find something darker: a story about wounded pride, uncontrollable rage, brutal violence and the moment vengeance finally gives way to pity. In this review, I break down Samuel Butler’s translation of Homer’s epic, the feud between Achilles and Agamemnon, Hector’s terrifying presence, the petty interference of the gods, the oral tradition behind the poem, and whether a modern reader should actually tackle this ancient monster of a book. 00:00 — An Ancient Epic in My Hands 00:42 — The Samuel Butler Translation 01:03 — Did Homer Actually Write The Iliad? 02:23 — What Is an Epic Poem? 03:05 — This Is Not the Trojan Horse Story 03:40 — Achilles, Hector and the Gods 04:53 — How This Edition Structures the Story 06:15 — The Core of The Iliad: Rage 07:33 — Achilles Loses Everything 08:19 — The Gods Are Petty as Hell 09:49 — Violence, Nature and Ancient Imagery 11:41 — The Sections I Fast-Read 13:19 — The Power of Oral Storytelling 15:00 — The Brutality of Battle 15:43 — Hector Smashes Through the Gates 17:29 — No Simple Villains, Only Human Beings 18:13 — Honour, Glory and the Heroic Code 19:03 — Should You Read The Iliad? 19:22 — The Odyssey Review Is Coming Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    20 min
  6. Thoughts Influence Your Character | As A Man Thinketh (James Allen) BOOK REVIEW

    Jun 3

    Thoughts Influence Your Character | As A Man Thinketh (James Allen) BOOK REVIEW

    I was wrong and I admit it .... this is the real OG self help book. Today I dive into James Allen’s 'As a Man Thinketh' (paired in my edition with From Poverty to Power) and it still lands today. It's short, punchy and refreshingly non-woo-woo with clear calls to personal responsibility, character-building and right thought leading to right outcomes. I read standout quotes, reflect on how its agnostic tone (with light biblical echoes) keeps the focus on self-mastery and share how it inspired me to become better. I also highlight where From Poverty to Power lost me (preachier with some outlandish claims about illness and sin) while acknowledging Allen’s hard-earned optimism given his tough life story. Overall verdict: skip Poverty To Power, but As a Man Thinketh is a timeless, motivating read that influenced Hill, Peale and Carnegie.  If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline:  (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:16) Core premise: thoughts shape character and outcomes (00:05:40) From Poverty to Power: preachiness and sermon feel (00:13:22) Author profile: James Allen’s hard‑earned optimism (00:16:12) Overall take: the real OG of self‑help (00:18:39) Value for Value, feedback and support (00:19:27) What’s next: upcoming reviews and schedule  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    20 min
  7. Gaming In The OASIS | Ready Player One (Ernest Cline) BOOK REVIEW

    May 27

    Gaming In The OASIS | Ready Player One (Ernest Cline) BOOK REVIEW

    What happens if the game really is better than real life? In this episode I dive into 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline and explore whether a virtual paradise can outshine the messy real world. I outline the OASIS, the 80s-saturated Easter egg hunt and the Gunter vs corporate showdown then share why the novel’s early gritty realism hooked me but later lost its footing as coincidences piled up and the real world became improbably rosy. While the tech flourishes feel contemporary and the ride is undeniably fun (especially for gaming and 80s pop-culture tragics) the lack of deeper philosophical bite kept it from being more than entertaining sci‑fi for me. I touch on Cline’s screenwriter sensibilities and how the book’s cinematic qualities likely helped its rapid path to film.  If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline:  (00:00:00) Intro (00:04:19) Big theme: Choosing virtual worlds over a broken reality (00:09:06) From gritty realism to full fantasy stakes (00:11:49) Why the ending undercuts the books premise (00:14:17) Author focus: Ernest Cline, screenwriting vibes (00:16:55) Verdict: a fun 6/10 for gamers and 80s fans (00:17:20) Closing and ways to support the podcast (00:18:26) Live schedule and what is next  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    20 min
  8. Life & Death Battles Getting Silly | Dungeon Crawler Carl (Matt Dinniman) BOOK REVIEW

    May 21

    Life & Death Battles Getting Silly | Dungeon Crawler Carl (Matt Dinniman) BOOK REVIEW

    Are you entering into the dungeon?  In this episode of Mere Mortals Book Reviews, I dive into 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' by Matt Dinniman, a fast-paced RPG romp that mixes real-world apocalypse with game-show chaos. I share why this was the perfect palate cleanser after some drier reads, how the humour lands (crude, clever and consistently fun) and what makes Carl and his imperious feline companion Princess Donut so engaging as they descend through deadly, rule-laden dungeons watched by an intergalactic audience. I touch on the book’s setup: Earth flattened and repurposed into a subterranean dungeon, humans given a stark choice to enter or struggle topside and reflect on the “would you go in?” dilemma. Expect comparisons to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in premise vibe (but with very different humour), thoughts on the world-building quirks, and where I’m at with committing to a six-book series. Final verdict: a brisk, entertaining read that hit the spot for escapist fun 7.5/10 and I’m keen for book number two. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:41) Carl and Princess Donut (00:06:08) Gags, dry vs absurd humour and running jokes (00:08:43) Would you enter the dungeon? Personal reflection (00:13:15) Author notes, community and Reddit mentions (00:15:24) Summary, rating 7.5/10 and sign-off  Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFq Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

    16 min
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4.7
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Hey we are the Mere Mortals and we review books of all genres/styles but with an emphasis on those that have stood the test of time (the 'classics' if you will). Join us on Weekly live episode on Thurs 11am AEST (Thurs 1am UTC+0) plus bonus episodes from my cohost Juan.

Information

  • Creator
    Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    404
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Mere Mortals Book Reviews
  • Show Website
    Mere Mortals Book Reviews

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