Shelf Indulgence with Remy

Evidence of Effort Productions, LLC
  • 5.0 (1)
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Buy the book and read along! Ever wish you could re-read your favorite book for the first time? That’s the heart of Shelf Indulgence. Each guest brings a book that means something to them, and host Remy comes in with fresh eyes. Together they break it down beat by beat, with plenty of tangents, laughter, and personal stories along the way. Be a part of the experience! Grab a coffee and read along, we'd love to have you along for the journey. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join I will be releasing new episodes per season (book) every two weeks with small breaks between each. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Shelf Indulgence with Remy is a book discussion podcast produced by Evidence of Effort Productions, LLC. Short excerpts may be quoted for purposes of review and commentary under U.S. fair use (17 U.S.C. § 107). All book rights remain with their respective copyright holders. Opinions expressed by guests and host are their own. Music and sound effects are either original or licensed for use.

  1. Book 1: Ep1 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Holston

    Episode 1

    Book 1: Ep1 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Holston

    What if the very thing you desired most was also your death sentence? In our series premiere, my first guest Michael and I dive headfirst into the claustrophobic, underground world of Wool by Hugh Howey. We’re focusing on the "Holston" novella—the first 42 pages of the omnibus—where we meet a sheriff who has spent three years mourning his wife in a vertical subterranean silo. We explore the chilling reality of a society where "wanting to go outside" is the ultimate crime, punishable by being sent into the toxic wasteland to perform one final task: cleaning the sensors that provide the silo's only view of the world. Michael and I break down the "Mystery Box" storytelling that turned Hugh Howey’s self-published story into a global phenomenon. As a long-time fan, Michael guides me—a total first-time reader—through the visceral imagery of steel stairs worn thin by centuries of palms and that heartbreaking "sudden lack of wife" that drives the plot. We debate the ethics of a society that rations tobacco but executes its most curious citizens, while geeking out over the twist ending of the "Holston" arc—a revelation involving augmented reality, toxic air, and the crushing weight of a hope that was designed to be a trap. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join Check out some of the other books we chat about along our journey! https://bookshop.org/shop/ShelfindulgencewithRemy Editor's Room: The J.J. Abrams Mystery: Michael and I went back and forth on whether J.J. Abrams actually created the show Revolution. The Actual Fact: Revolution was created by Eric Kripke (the mind behind Supernatural and The Boys). J.J. Abrams was an Executive Producer through Bad Robot, but Kripke was the showrunner. - Tobacco vs. Hemp: We questioned if tobacco has other uses similar to hemp’s versatility. The Actual Fact: Sadly, tobacco doesn't have the industrial utility of hemp. It's almost exclusively used for consumption or as a niche organic pesticide. Growing it in the Silo is a pure luxury (or control) move.

    1h 19m
  2. Book 1: Ep2 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Proper Gauge 1/2

    Episode 2

    Book 1: Ep2 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Proper Gauge 1/2

    Imagine living your entire life in a concrete cylinder, never seeing a rooftop, and knowing that every thread of the shirt on your back was literally grown from the recycled remains of your ancestors. That’s the heavy reality of the Silo, and in this episode, Michael and I are diving deep—literally—into Part 2 of Hugh Howey’s Wool, titled "Proper Gauge." We’re moving past the initial shock of Holston’s cleaning to look at the gears that keep this massive underground machine turning. It’s a journey through 144 floors of stairs, class systems, and the kind of "deep air" that feels like it’s pressing in on you from all sides. In this first half of our discussion, we’re following Mayor Jahns and Deputy Marnes on their grueling trek down to Mechanical to find a new Sheriff. I have to tell you, I’m absolutely floored by Howey’s ability to make me care about side characters I barely blinked at in the first section. We get into the nitty-gritty of Silo life: the "shadow" apprentice system, the terrifying control of the IT department, and my growing, burning hatred for Bernard (seriously, that guy is up to something). We even crunch the numbers on just how tall—or deep—this structure is, comparing it to an upside-down Empire State Building. But as we see the sparks fly between Jahns and Marnes, the episode ends on a heartbreaking note that reminds us why hope is the most dangerous thing you can carry in a world meant to keep you contained. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join Check out some of the other books we chat about along our journey! https://bookshop.org/shop/ShelfindulgencewithRemy Editor's Room (Fact-Check) The Depth of the Silo: During the episode, the math discussed suggests 144 floors at 10–12 feet each equals roughly 1,440–1,800 feet. For context, the deepest man-made hole (Kola Superdeep Borehole) is over 40,000 feet, but the Burj Khalifa is 2,717 feet. The Silo is effectively a subterranean skyscraper.Hugh Howey's Nationality: Remy speculated Howey might be European. [The Actual Fact]: Hugh Howey is American, born in Charlotte, North Carolina.Chapter Numbering: Michael and Remy noted a discrepancy in chapter numbers between digital and physical copies. [Clean-up]: Depending on the edition (the original 5-part self-published novellas vs. the collected omnibus), chapter numbering often restarts at "1" for each new part in digital versions but continues sequentially in many print editions.

    1h 29m
  3. Book 1: Ep3 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Proper Gauge 2/2

    Episode 3

    Book 1: Ep3 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Proper Gauge 2/2

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Hugh Howey’s world, it’s that the deeper you go, the more the air starts to feel heavy—and I don’t just mean the recycled oxygen in Mechanical. This episode is the second half of our deep dive into the "Proper Gauge" section of Wool, and it’s where the political tension finally snaps into a full-blown tragedy. We’re grappling with the "Big Idea" of institutional control: why does IT have three floors of power while the rest of the Silo scrimps for scraps? It’s a classic case of those who control the information controlling the world, and as we see through Mayor Jahns’ eyes, that kind of power doesn’t like to be questioned. In this conversation, my guest and I follow the Mayor and Deputy Marnes on their long climb back up the stairs, a journey that starts with the hopeful, gritty introduction of Juliet—our new favorite grease-covered "bamf." We talk about the "Power Holiday," the eerie silence of a stopped generator, and the beautiful, heart-wrenching relationship building between two old friends. But the real revelation comes in the final pages. We break down that devastating twist involving a poisoned canteen and a realization that hits like a physical blow: the target wasn't who we thought it was. It’s a heavy end to a brilliant section, and honestly, I’m still a little mad at Hugh for what he did to our hearts. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join Check out some of the other books we chat about along our journey! https://bookshop.org/shop/ShelfindulgencewithRemy

    1h 14m
  4. Book 1: Ep4 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Casting Off 1/2

    Episode 4

    Book 1: Ep4 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Casting Off 1/2

    This episode kicks off with the ultimate gut punch: a flash-forward to Juliet in a cleaning suit. After losing Holston and Mayor Jahns, I was just starting to feel safe with Jules, only for Hugh Howey to pull the rug out from under us. We dive deep into the first half of "Casting Off," where the mechanical grit of the Down Deep meets the sterile, suffocating control of the Up Top. Juliet is officially the Sheriff now, but she’s not interested in the politics or the view; she’s a machine-fixer who sees the entire Silo as one giant, failing engine. We talk about her transition to the top, her "psychotic" habit of eating cold stew, and the sheer terror of agoraphobia in a world where "open space" is a death sentence. The deeper we go, the more the conspiracy starts to unravel. We meet Lukas—the Silo’s very own Copernicus. Between Juliet’s burgeoning crush on the star-gazer and the discovery of a flash drive hidden in a tin of cookies, the stakes are skyrocketing. But for every step forward Jules takes, Bernard is right there with a "forgiveness holiday" and a new deputy, Peter Billings, in tow. We break down the tragic discovery of Deputy Marnes, the blatant classism of the Silo’s power structure, and why IT is clearly the puppet master of this entire underground theater. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join Check out some of the other books we chat about along our journey! https://bookshop.org/shop/ShelfindulgencewithRemy

    1h 37m
  5. Book 1: Ep5 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Casting Off 2/2

    Episode 5

    Book 1: Ep5 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - Casting Off 2/2

    If you thought the first half of this deep dive into the Silo was claustrophobic, buckle up. I’m starting to realize that the further down you go, the more the air actually starts to clear... metaphorically, at least. In this episode, we’re following Juliette’s descent back to Mechanical, but not before she takes a detour through the high-stakes, highly segregated halls of I.T. It’s becoming blindingly obvious that Bernard isn't just a bureaucrat; he’s a conductor of a very dark symphony. We’re digging into the of control: how do you manage a population when you own the screens, the history books, and even the quality of the tape holding their world together? The conversation moves from the "rat shit" charges leveled against Jules to the heartbreaking realization that Scotty’s "accident" was anything but. Michael and I explore the chilling effect of a fascist takeover, where the silence is louder than any alarm, and how the Silo’s rigid caste system is designed to keep curiosity from spreading like a virus. The revelation of the two supply chains was the final nail for me. Peak villainy. We wrap up as Jules crests the hill, shattering Bernard's perfection and setting the stage for what can only be described as a total unraveling. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join Check out some of the other books we chat about along our journey! https://bookshop.org/shop/ShelfindulgencewithRemy

    1h 21m
  6. Book 1: Ep6 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - The Unraveling 1/4

    Episode 6

    Book 1: Ep6 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - The Unraveling 1/4

    Man, what a read. We are finally cracking into "The Unraveling," and let me tell you, this section of Hugh Howey's Wool absolutely earns its name. I went into this recording with Michael thinking we’d cover a good chunk of ground, but the conversation just kept stretching... kinda like the stairwells in the Silo. There is so much to digest here, from the childhood memories that shaped Juliet to the soul-shattering reality of what actually lies beyond those hills. Because we couldn't stop geeking out over the details, we’ve decided to split this section into four parts. This is part one of that deep dive. In this episode, we start by looking back at a young Juliet on her father's shoulders, watching a play. We get into the grit of the Silo’s social structure, the color-coded coveralls, the "Down Deep" geography, and the oddity of porters running the stairs barefoot. But the real heart of this chat is Juliet’s walk. We follow her as she steps outside, armed with Walker’s "good supply" of heat tape, and witnesses the grand, gorgeous untruth of the visor’s programming finally fall apart. It’s a mind-bending sequence that changes everything we thought we knew about the world outside. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join Check out some of the other books we chat about along our journey! https://bookshop.org/shop/ShelfindulgencewithRemy

    1h 32m
  7. Book 1: Ep7 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - The Unraveling 2/4

    Episode 7

    Book 1: Ep7 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - The Unraveling 2/4

    The uprising isn't coming anymore; it’s officially here. In this episode, Michael and I dig into the heavy realization that the "good people of Mechanical" aren't interested in fixing the Silo anymore, they’re looking to break it. We follow Walker as he takes a terrifying, agoraphobic breath and steps out of his room for the first time in years to tell the truth about the suits. It’s a moment that gives me actual goosebumps every time I read it, and we spend some time dissecting that "This Is It" feeling... that tipping point where the lie becomes too big to live with. We also track Juliette’s gruesome, nauseating crawl through the remains of Silo 17. Watching her navigate the decay of a dead world is a stark contrast to the boiling energy back home. Between Knox’s rallying cries and Bernard’s unsettling "maniacal grin" as he initiates Lucas into the secrets of IT, we’re seeing the Silo unravel from both ends. Plus, we take a bit of a side-trail into the ethics of uprisings, the surprising presence of dog breeds in the deep down, and why Juliette is apparently brave enough to explore a tomb-like Silo while completely naked. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join Check out some of the other books we chat about along our journey! https://bookshop.org/shop/ShelfindulgencewithRemy Editor's Room (Fact-Check) [What was said]: "Every dog evolved from a gray wolf." vs. [The Actual Fact]: Modern dogs are now believed to have descended from a specific, now-extinct species of wolf that lived 15,000 to 30,000 years ago, rather than the modern gray wolf directly.

    1h 25m
  8. Book 1: Ep8 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - The Unraveling 3/4

    Episode 8

    Book 1: Ep8 - Hugh Howey's 'Wool' - The Unraveling 3/4

    Welcome back to the thick of the unraveling. In this third leg of our journey through 'The Unraveling' in Hugh Howey’s 'Wool', the scope of the world is finally starting to crack open. The true nature of the silo comes to light with the revelation Solo shares with Juliet that changes everything. It turns out these structures aren't just bunkers; they are silos in the most literal sense, containers meant to hold the "seeds" of humanity until the world outside is ready for them. But as we see in the wreckage of Silo 17, when you leave seeds in the dark for thirty-four years, they don't just wait; they begin to rot. The conversation this week flows from the tactical to the existential. We track Knox and McClain as they prep for a revolution that’s anything but bloodless, complete with the terrifying reality of home-milled guns and "implements of pain." Meanwhile, I’m still reeling from Juliet’s journey into the dark corners of a dead silo. Meeting Solo was a game-changer... 34 years of solitude in a place that literally reeks of forgotten history. We dig into the chilling "Order" found alongside the Pact, the mystery of the Atlanta grid, and why it only takes one bad day to turn a sanctuary into a tomb. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join Check out some of the other books we chat about along our journey! https://bookshop.org/shop/ShelfindulgencewithRemy

    1h 17m
See All Season 1 (15)

Ratings & Reviews

About

Buy the book and read along! Ever wish you could re-read your favorite book for the first time? That’s the heart of Shelf Indulgence. Each guest brings a book that means something to them, and host Remy comes in with fresh eyes. Together they break it down beat by beat, with plenty of tangents, laughter, and personal stories along the way. Be a part of the experience! Grab a coffee and read along, we'd love to have you along for the journey. Check out the Patreon to get more involved! https://www.patreon.com/14867568/join I will be releasing new episodes per season (book) every two weeks with small breaks between each. Enjoy! Disclaimer: Shelf Indulgence with Remy is a book discussion podcast produced by Evidence of Effort Productions, LLC. Short excerpts may be quoted for purposes of review and commentary under U.S. fair use (17 U.S.C. § 107). All book rights remain with their respective copyright holders. Opinions expressed by guests and host are their own. Music and sound effects are either original or licensed for use.

Information

  • Creator
    Evidence of Effort Productions, LLC
  • Episodes
    15
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Evidence of Effort Productions, LLC
  • Show Website
    Shelf Indulgence with Remy