The Binge Reading Bookclub

The Binge Reading Bookclub Podcast
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  • Updated Monthly

I’m Hugo Powell — podcast producer and literary newbie — on a mission to read more and learn about the art of storytelling. Guiding me on this journey is bestselling author Nicholas Binge.Each month, Nicholas picks a book that shines in one key aspect of writing, and we figure out what makes it work.And at the end of each episode, we’ll take what we’ve learned as we continue our mission to write the greatest novel ever written.So grab your book, settle in, and join us on this adventure.

  1. Speed Binges: Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared

    2d ago

    Speed Binges: Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared

    Once again we branch out into hitherto un-explored realms of media as we discuss the 2011 YouTube viral sensation Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared. We chat about the marvels of early 2010s internet humor (Burn't Face Man, The Mighty Boosh, Salad Fingers to name but a few), why absurdist and comedic novels are hard to write and sell, and we take Nicholas on a therapeutic journey into his creative raison d'etre.  We also take a deep dive into this industry of publishing and discuss the differences of art made for art's sake vs performative art that is designed to sell. Nicholas grapples with is own internal daemons when it comes to kowtowing to demand or following creative passion.  If you haven't watched DHMIM, check the link below to the first episode.  LINKS: YouTube DHMIS STET Podcast Network Official Site follow us on Bluesky email us: contact@bingereadingbookclub.com

    31 min

  2. May 29

    Episode 17 - Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (with special guest Tariq Ashkanani)

    In our most heated episode yet, that many are calling 'truly a podcast that has appeared online', best selling author Nicholas Binge (Extremity, Ascension, Professor Everywhere) and Hugo Powell (Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Flies, Lord of War) invite the best selling crime author Tariq Ashkanani to tell them about one of his favourite novels Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica. Tender is the Flesh follows the story of Marcos, a disgruntled slaughter house manager as he grapples with the loss of his child, the break down of his marriage, and his fathers slow descent into dementia. Oh, did I mention the slaughter house is for humans as in this world animal meat has become toxic to humans so instead of going vegan every just starts eating humans? I didn't mention that? Oh well there you go. While the brutality of this novel may be a deterrent to many, Tariq and Nicholas breakdown the depth that can actually be found behind the incessant violence of this terrifying world. They talk about this novel being a reflection of mankind's ability to cause great harm to one another once a population is dehumanized, the mental gymnastics required to consume meat and not face the realities of the meat industry, and how 'internal world building' can such a vital tool in the arsenal of any author. Join us again on the 11 June for our mini episodes known as Speed Binges, where we will be watching the entirety of Don't Hug me I am Scared  And you will find the next mainline show on the 25 June, where we will be reading I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman and joined by guest author Richard Swan.  LINKS: STET Podcast Network Official Site follow us on Bluesky email us: contact@bingereadingbookclub.com

    1h 2m
  3. Speed Binges: Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp.

    May 14

    Speed Binges: Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp.

    In todays edifying episode of Speed Binges, the D-sides of the Binge Reading Bookclub, best selling author Nicholas Binge and Hugo Powell chat about the fantastic album Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp. (Cat System Corp) - a flourish of 90s vaporwave nostalgia that plunges the listener into the dreamy world of the first shopping mall built on mars.  Vaporwave is a genre born online in the early 2010s, it marries chopped and screwed sampling techniques with 80s and 90s aesthetics to create hauntingly beautiful soundscapes that feel nostalgic, but for a time we never knew and never experienced. This concept is captured in the idea of Hauntology, a philosophy and sound championed by experimental duo Boards of Canada.  Nicholas takes us through what hooked him on this album, and what we are writers can learn about atmosphere and 'being deliberate' when constructing our stories.  Join us for our next mainline episode of the Binge Reading Bookclub Podcast where we are reading Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterica on the 28th May! LINKS: Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp. STET Podcast Network Based on a Book Podcast Official Site follow us on Bluesky email us: contact@bingereadingbookclub.com

    30 min

  4. Apr 30

    Epsiode 16: Star of the Sea by Joseph o'Connor (With best selling author Shauna Lawless)

    Best selling author Nicholas Binge and literary newbie Hugo Powell are joined today by the marvelous author Shauna Lawless! Shauna mixes historical fiction with classic fantasy in her novels by placing (or replacing as she argues), the magic that was lost from traditional Irish texts due to modern readings and interpretations of 11th century Irish literature. She helps understand why studying historical fiction can also inform your writing despite not being in the same genre or style. Understand the world your characters inhabit, and you will better understand the characters themselves. Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor takes place on the titular boat, on its umpteenth voyage from Ireland to New York. Through diary entries, historical vignettes, and first hand accounts, we learn about stories and histories of the various colourful characters on the boat, including that of serial murder Pius Mulvey, aristocrat Lord Meridith, and American journalist Dixon. All this to the backdrop of the Irish Famine and the atrocities that transpired in this time.  Join us again on the 14 May for our quick episodes known as Speed Binges, where we will be listening to the masterpiece Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp.  And you will find the next mainline show on the 28 May, where we will be reading Tender if the Flesh by Agustina Baztericca and joined by special author guest Tariq Ashkanani.  LINKS: STET Podcast Network Official Site follow us on Bluesky email us: contact@bingereadingbookclub.com

    1h 5m
  5. Speed Binges - 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke (With Crystal Riley)

    Apr 16

    Speed Binges - 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke (With Crystal Riley)

    In this months Speed Binges we are joined by extra special guest Crystal Riley form the Based on a Book Podcast! We decided to do a little spin on their format by reading a book based on a movie. Now it is a technicality but the novel was based on the screenplay of Kubrik's film and was released after the release of the movie so we are counting it. We take full advantage of having Crystal in the studio with us and ask her to break down what makes a really good adaptation. Crystal then asked what Nick's biggest fears and anxieties were when it comes to his novels being adapted for the silver screen. And Hugo does his best to wrangle them both onto the topic of 2001: A Space Odyssey. We learn how Clarke uses simple prose to put forward complicated scientific concepts, we discuss our favourite Sci-Fi adpatations, and Nick presents his theory as to what happened to Will Smith's Career. The next episode of Speed Binges will be out on the 14th May where we will be LISTENING to the album Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp. LINKS: STET Podcast Network Based on a Book Podcast Official Site follow us on Bluesky email us: contact@bingereadingbookclub.com

    35 min

  6. Mar 26

    Episode 15 - The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow (With Special Guest L.R. Lam)

    Best selling author Nicholas Binge and literary newbie Hugo Powell are joined today by equally bestselling (USA Today and New York Times bestselling) author L.R. Lam! L, author of such wonderful works of fantasy such as the weird-queer novel Dragonscale or the Mycah Grey trilogy, shares with us her favorite novel The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow. Not only does The Everlasting deal with some pretty heavy subject material such as gender roles, the traditional versus modern family dynamic, generational trauma, nation building and the rise of facism (phewh), it also does the Time Travel Trope (the three Ts) incredibly well! Time travel plays an integral role in not only how the plot developes but how the audience interacts with the story. L and Nick describe the structure of the novel being a 'palimpsest', a scroll, use, erase, and reused but whos previous iterations are still visible beneath the current. This metaphor not only describes the actual story itself as the characters experience the same events over and over, but also describes how the plot developes, as we the reader, aware of what has happened in previous cycles, game deeper understanding each time we witness a new cycle.  Join us again on the 16 April for our quick episodes known as Speed Binges, where we will be joined by Crystal from the 'Based on a book' podcast to discuss Arthur C. Clarkes adaptation of 2001: A space odyssey.  And you will find the next mainline show on the 30th April, where we will be reading Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor and joined by special author guest Shauna Lawless.  LINKS: STET Podcast Network Official Site follow us on Bluesky email us: contact@bingereadingbookclub.com

    1h 3m

  7. Mar 12

    Speed Binges - The Chair Company

    In our new Binge Reading Bookclub Podcast spin off series we watched The Chair Company. A surrealist dark comedy written, produced and starring internet star Tim Robinson. The story follows Ron, a middle manager at a mall construction company who has a horrible chair based mishap that leads him to uncover a grand conspiracy of embezzlement and smuggling.  we talk about what the show is trying to achieve with its sometimes nonsensical segues and ‘random’ humor (holds up spork). On the topic of writing craft we discuss what it means to be deliberate with your narratives and interactions and that perhaps the non sequiturs are supposed to reflect the meaninglessness of life. Nicholas also posits that maybe sometimes, people want their fiction to be less weird than real life - stranger than fiction springs to mind.  Join us again for the mainline Binge Reading Bookclub episode on the 27th Match for The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow with special guest L.R. Lam.  LINKS: STET Podcast Network Official Site follow us on Bluesky email us: contact@bingereadingbookclub.com

    25 min

  8. Feb 26

    Episode 14 - Excession by Iain M Banks (with guest author David Goodman)

    In this episode we are talking about Excession by Iain M Banks - A sprawling sci-fi epic that explores a distant, post-scarcity future, where an interplanetary civilisation called The Culture faces the physics defying titular event the Excession.  Today we are delighted to welcome very special guest David Goodman - Author of The Reluctant Spy (winner of the debut awards at Bloody Scotland and Harrowgate Crime Festival) and his follow up Solitary Agents is out June 4th 2026.  Dave takes us through how Banks utilises paratext to flesh out the interactions between the multitude of godlike AI in this novel and why it is the best means of conveying a lot of information in short amount of time. While paratext is an important literary device, it also holds a deeply personal place in Dave's heart, as reading Excession as a teen revealed to him the power and possibilities of literature We also chat about the merits of physical media, the evolution of British sci-fi, how Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy is the most influential British sci-fi, and how sometimes plot and character don't need to be the end goal of a novel. We also create our own Excession style spaceship/AI names and include a very confusing Blackberry Messenger text chat to the great novel ever written.   The Next episode of the Binge Reading Bookclub will be out on the 26th March featuring the novel The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow, with special guest Author L.R. Lam. We are also watching The Chair Company for our brand new show 'Speed Binges' which will be coming out on the 12th March.  LINKS: STET Podcast Network Official Site follow us on Bluesky email us: contact@bingereadingbookclub.com

    1h 2m
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About

I’m Hugo Powell — podcast producer and literary newbie — on a mission to read more and learn about the art of storytelling. Guiding me on this journey is bestselling author Nicholas Binge.Each month, Nicholas picks a book that shines in one key aspect of writing, and we figure out what makes it work.And at the end of each episode, we’ll take what we’ve learned as we continue our mission to write the greatest novel ever written.So grab your book, settle in, and join us on this adventure.

Information

  • Creator
    The Binge Reading Bookclub Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Binge Reading Bookclub
  • Show Website
    The Binge Reading Bookclub

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