Page Chewing

Steve
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Page Chewing is where books, comics, and conversations collide. From in-depth chats with authors and artists to lively discussions with fellow readers, we explore the craft of storytelling, the worlds we love, and the ideas that stay with us long after the last page.

  1. 10h ago

    Pet Sematary Read-Along #2 | Chapters 6–10: Something Isn’t Right in Ludlow

    The Pet Sematary read-along continues with Chapters 6–10, and Stephen King is already turning our attention toward one unavoidable subject: death. This time I'm looking at the developing friendship between Louis and Jud, the Creed family dynamic, Rachel's discomfort with death, our first trip to the Pet Sematary, and the increasingly eerie feeling surrounding Ludlow and the woods. I'm also adding our first major prediction to the evolving notebook after a strange dream involving Louis, Gage, Church, and Disney World. Does it mean anything? I have absolutely no idea, but I'm calling my shot and saying we're going to see it matter later. Next episode: Chapters 11–15. Read along and share your own observations, questions, and predictions as we continue through Pet Sematary this October. Page Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Support Page Chewing on Patreon Affiliate Links that support the show: Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKns Audible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vadd Kindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdD Amazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9 Join Captivate.fm Send a message via SpeakPipe

    Pet Sematary Read-Along #2 | Chapters 6–10: Something Isn’t Right in Ludlow

  2. 19h ago

    150 Episodes of Comics, Trombones & Picks of the Week | Panel Chewing #150

    Panel Chewing has officially reached 150 episodes! We kick off this milestone episode with a question for comic collectors and readers: does the physical format of a comic matter? From standard issues and oversized magazine format books to tiny Lone Wolf and Cub editions, we talk about size, paper quality, price, collecting headaches and whether publishers like DSTLRY are using larger formats as a gimmick, or genuinely giving readers something better. Then we realize something pretty important: this is episode 150. So we take a moment to thank everyone who's listened, watched and joined us along the way. This week's reviews include: Absolute Batman #24 Conan: Tides of the Tyrant King #1 Killer Influences #3 Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy #2 Regicide #2 Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #3 Terabytes #10 Black Star #3 The Eye Collector #4 Then it's time for our Picks of the Week. Jarrod chooses A Mischief of Magpies #2, a surprisingly emotional portal fantasy from Simon Spurrier and Matías Bergara that digs into loneliness, trauma and the uncertain line between fantasy and reality. Steve goes with Babs: The Long Road South #5 by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows, as the series continues mercilessly poking fun at fantasy conventions and especially poor Samwise Gamgee. Finally, our Lone Wolf and Cub group read continues with Volume 18: Twilight of the Kurokuwa. This volume leads us into some surprisingly complicated questions about Ogami Itto. Does he have any moral obligation to help people suffering around him? Is his claim that he walks the road of demons enough to absolve him of that responsibility? And just how important is Daigoro in keeping his father connected to his humanity? We eventually realize that Daigoro may be something even more important: He's Ogami's lifeline. Thanks to everyone who helped us reach 150 episodes of Panel Chewing. Here's to whatever we end up reading, and tromboning, next. Page Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Support Page Chewing on Patreon Affiliate Links that support the show: Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKns Audible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vadd Kindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdD Amazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9 Join Captivate.fm Send a message via SpeakPipe

    150 Episodes of Comics, Trombones & Picks of the Week | Panel Chewing #150

  3. 1d ago

    My Top 10 Grimdark & Dark Fantasy Books

    What are my favorite grimdark and dark fantasy books? This isn't quite the usual list. I'm counting down ten of the books and series that have stuck with me the most—from lesser-known indie fantasy to some familiar names that longtime Page Chewing listeners probably won't be surprised to see near the top. We get into brutal worlds, morally complicated characters, dark humor, grief, violence, philosophy, unforgettable endings, and the books that have affected me enough that I literally needed to put them down and walk away for a while. The list includes Obsidian Awakening, The Rift Cycle, The Hellborn King, Empires of Dust, The Winter Road, The Scroungers, Gunmetal Gods, Ash and Sand, Manifest Delusions and The Second Apocalypse, plus one honorable mention that longtime listeners may remember from my older lists. These aren't necessarily the ten "best" grimdark books ever written. They're the ones that have meant the most to me. What's on your list? Books and series discussed include (Amazon Affiliate Links): • Obsidian Awakening — Sienna Frost https://link.amazon/B0gz9gyrt • The Rift Cycle — Halo Scot https://link.amazon/B06EKTHuz • The Hellborn King — Christopher G. Brenning https://link.amazon/B0appWmMy • Empires of Dust — Anna Smith Spark https://link.amazon/B05D0Uxfh • The Winter Road — Adrian Selby https://link.amazon/B07PHpikK • The Scroungers — Thomas J. Devens https://link.amazon/B02IzPtk9 • Gunmetal Gods — Zamil Akhtar https://link.amazon/B0crYuL4Z • Ash and Sand — Richard Nell https://link.amazon/B07fNvleB • Manifest Delusions — Michael R. Fletcher https://link.amazon/B0iUbz9tX • The Second Apocalypse — R. Scott Bakker https://link.amazon/B0cYuIhxt Page Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Support Page Chewing on Patreon Affiliate Links that support the show: Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKns Audible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vadd Kindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdD Amazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9 Join Captivate.fm Send a message via SpeakPipe

  4. 1d ago

    Beyond the Page: Reclaiming Your Life After Emotional Abuse with Eva Levina

    In this episode of Beyond the Page, Steve talks with Eva Levina, author of the two book Death Is No Reason to Stop Living series, about her experience in a 25-year marriage that she describes as involving covert emotional abuse and the difficult journey of rebuilding her life afterward. Eva discusses the subtle warning signs she says she missed, including gaslighting, constant criticism, sleep deprivation, manipulation and financial control. She also talks candidly about trauma bonding, therapy, learning to trust herself again, and the process of rediscovering the interests and ambitions she had put aside. We also explore what it was like to turn those experiences into a memoir, why writing the books was so emotionally difficult, and why sharing her story ultimately became liberating. This is a conversation about identity, survival, healing and allowing yourself to live again. Find Eva: https://www.evalevinabooks.com/ Page Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Support Page Chewing on Patreon Affiliate Links that support the show: Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKns Audible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vadd Kindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdD Amazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9 Join Captivate.fm Send a message via SpeakPipe

  5. 2d ago

    Pet Sematary Read-Along #1 | Chapters 1–5: Something Feels Off

    The Pet Sematary Read-Along begins! For the first episode, I'm discussing Stephen King's introduction and Chapters 1–5 as the Creed family settles into their new home and Louis begins an unexpected friendship with their neighbor, Jud. This is my first time reading Pet Sematary, and I've never seen any of the film adaptations, so I'm going into the story almost completely blind. Using the same evolving-notebook approach from the Blood Meridian read-along, I'll be tracking six questions throughout the book: • What stood out? • What am I noticing about the characters? • What themes are emerging? • What images, places, or ideas keep returning? • What questions do I have? • What do I think happens next? Read along and share your own observations and predictions—but please keep the comments spoiler-free! Next episode: Chapters 6–10. Page Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Support Page Chewing on Patreon Affiliate Links that support the show: Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKns Audible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vadd Kindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdD Amazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9 Join Captivate.fm Send a message via SpeakPipe

    Pet Sematary Read-Along #1 | Chapters 1–5: Something Feels Off

  6. 3d ago

    Blood Meridian Is Over… Now It’s Time for Pet Sematary | Weekly Update

    This week on Page Chewing, I’m wrapping up my September Blood Meridian read-along and looking ahead to October’s journey through Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. I talk about how slowing down and reading Blood Meridian one chapter at a time completely changed my experience with the novel, what I’m currently reading—including The Warrior Prophet and Lone Wolf and Cub—and what’s coming up on Page Chewing. I also share some thoughts on rewatching The Sopranos and One Hour Photo, including how differently One Hour Photo’s ideas about privacy hit in the age of social media. Plus, I take a look at my beautiful hardcover edition of Elder Epoch from the Gunmetal Gods series. What are you reading right now? And are you joining me for Pet Sematary this October? Page Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Support Page Chewing on Patreon Affiliate Links that support the show: Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKns Audible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vadd Kindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdD Amazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9 Join Captivate.fm Send a message via SpeakPipe

    Blood Meridian Is Over… Now It’s Time for Pet Sematary | Weekly Update

  7. 5d ago

    You Don’t Read Comics? Here Are 10 Great Places to Start

    Think comic books are all superheroes, capes, and decades of confusing continuity? There’s a lot more to the medium than that. In this episode, Steve shares 10 comics he’d recommend to someone who says, “I don’t read comics—where do I start?” This isn’t a ranking of the greatest comics ever written. Instead, these are approachable recommendations covering fantasy, crime, science fiction, comedy, superheroes, and several very different flavors of horror. The recommendations include (Amazon Affiliate links): • The Sacrificers by Rick Remender & Max Fiumara Think comic books are all superheroes, capes, and decades of confusing continuity? There’s a lot more to the medium than that. In this episode, Steve shares 10 comics he’d recommend to someone who says, “I don’t read comics—where do I start?” This isn’t a ranking of the greatest comics ever written. Instead, these are approachable recommendations covering fantasy, crime, science fiction, comedy, superheroes, and several very different flavors of horror. The recommendations include: • The Sacrificers by Rick Remender & Max Fiumara Think comic books are all superheroes, capes, and decades of confusing continuity? There’s a lot more to the medium than that. In this episode, Steve shares 10 comics he’d recommend to someone who says, “I don’t read comics—where do I start?” This isn’t a ranking of the greatest comics ever written. Instead, these are approachable recommendations covering fantasy, crime, science fiction, comedy, superheroes, and several very different flavors of horror. The recommendations include: • The Sacrificers by Rick Remender & Max Fiumara https://link.amazon/B03Y866kK • Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath https://link.amazon/B0chreKuc • Assorted Crisis Events by Deniz Camp & Eric Zawadzki https://link.amazon/B03m4VzFI • Where the Body Was by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips https://link.amazon/B0g3b8ySs • Babs by Garth Ennis & Jacen Burrows https://link.amazon/B0043qbFX • Stray Bullets by David Lapham https://link.amazon/B093itu1n • Invincible by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker & Ryan Ottley https://link.amazon/B03TvFVDV • Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons https://link.amazon/B07tucQpR • Into the Unbeing by Zac Thompson & Hayden Sherman https://link.amazon/B0gBWfqHQ • Crossed by Garth Ennis & Jacen Burrows https://link.amazon/B0dQpdW0S Whether you already love crime novels, dark fantasy, weird science fiction, extreme horror—or maybe you actually do want superheroes—there should be something here to help you find your way into comics. And if you’re already a comic reader: what ONE comic would you hand to someone who says they don’t read comics? Page Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Support Page Chewing on Patreon Affiliate Links that support the show: Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKns Audible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vadd Kindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdD Amazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9 Join Captivate.fm Send a message via SpeakPipe

  8. Sep 30

    Understanding Blood Meridian with Steven Frye | Judge Holden, the Kid & What It All Means

    After 23 chapters, the Blood Meridian read-along is complete—but the questions certainly aren't. For this special concluding conversation, I'm joined by Steven Frye, author of Understanding Cormac McCarthy, to dig into some of the biggest questions I was left with after finishing Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. What exactly is Judge Holden? Why is he so interested in the kid? Does the kid actually change? What does his refusal to completely embrace the Judge's philosophy tell us about him? And what really happens in the jakes at the end of the novel? We also discuss the Judge's philosophy of war, the possibility of reading him as a Gnostic figure, McCarthy's recurring imagery of fire, the role of nature and the desert, the Judge's mysterious ledger, the historical Glanton Gang, the dancing bear, recurring bird imagery, and whether Blood Meridian is really as nihilistic as it initially appears. Steven also explains why the kid's resistance may matter even if it ultimately fails—and why Blood Meridian rewards readers who keep returning to it. If you've followed the chapter-by-chapter read-along, this conversation brings together many of the questions we've been tracking from the beginning. Topics include: What is Judge Holden?The Judge's philosophy of warWhy Holden singles out the kidMercy, resistance and the kid's moral developmentWhat happens in the jakesThe mysterious epilogueFire throughout McCarthy's fictionNature and “optical democracy”The meaning of the Judge's ledgerCycles of violenceThe historical Glanton GangIs Blood Meridian nihilistic?Birds and recurring imageryThe dancing bearWhat to watch for on a second reading Find Steven: https://www.csub.edu/english/sfrye.shtml On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Steven-Frye/author/B001KHDZPE Page Chewing Blog Page Chewing Forum Support Page Chewing on Patreon Affiliate Links that support the show: Audible Standard Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4z1iKns Audible Standard Monthly Membership: https://amzn.to/3S6vadd Kindle Unlimited Free Trial: https://amzn.to/4wqkYdD Amazon Prime Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3UptxI9 Join Captivate.fm Send a message via SpeakPipe

    Understanding Blood Meridian with Steven Frye | Judge Holden, the Kid & What It All Means
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About

Page Chewing is where books, comics, and conversations collide. From in-depth chats with authors and artists to lively discussions with fellow readers, we explore the craft of storytelling, the worlds we love, and the ideas that stay with us long after the last page.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    796
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Page Chewing
  • Show Website
    Page Chewing

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