Portable Magic

Emily Hughes & Kyle Deas
  • 5.0 (6)
  • BOOKS

A podcast about books, literature, reading, publishing, and more. Hosted by Emily Hughes and Kyle Deas.

  1. 03/14/2016

    Episode 18: What We've Been Reading in 2016

    This episode, Emily and Kyle catch up on what they've been reading so far in 2016 – including a long-overdue discussion of Scott Hawkins' The Library of Mt Char. They also discuss several new fantasy novels, Kyle's cookbook addiction, Helen Ellis' hilarious new book of short stories, and the inspiration behind the Pringles potato chip guy. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 08:00: Smoke by Dan Vyleta 08:00 – 15:00: Shadow and Claw by Gene Wolfe 15:00 – 23:00: American Housewife by Helen Ellis 23:00 – 36:00: The Library at Mt. Char by Scott Hawkins 36:00 – 40:00: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab 40:00 – 47:00: Simple French Food by Richard Olney 47:00 – 55:00: Sunny's Nights: Lost and Found at a Bar on the Edge of the World by Tim Sultan What have you been reading so far in 2016? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

    59 min

  2. 12/21/2015

    Episode 17: Finding the Motivation to Read (& Gift Recs!)

    This episode, Emily and Kyle discuss how they find the time and motivation to read, even amongst all the other distractions of modern life. Plus, for the second year in a row, they provide a comprehensive gift list for all the last-second holiday shoppers out there. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 10:00: What We're Reading 10:00 – 40:00: Finding the Motivation to Read 40:00 – 1:00:00: Gift Recommendations! What Emily's Reading: The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson What Kyle's Reading: Slade House by David Mitchell 2666 by Roberto Bolaño The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski How do you find the time to read? Did you Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

    1h 2m

  3. 10/22/2015

    Episode 16: Which Books Will Become Classics?

    This episode, Emily and Kyle discuss which contemporary books will become classics. Along the way, they touch on Infinite Jest, Harry Potter, and many, many more. Plus, Kyle's been spending some time with Welcome to Night Vale and the newest encyclical from the Pope, while Emily's been immersed in Peter Clines' The Fold. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 16:00: What We're Reading 16:00 – 1:00:00: Contemporary books that will become classics What Emily's Reading: Twelve Kings in Sharakhai by Bradley Beaulieu Binti by Nnedi Okorafor The Fold by Peter Clines What Kyle's Reading: Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor Which books do you think will stand the test of time? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

    1h 1m

  4. 10/08/2015

    Episode 15: Books We Read in High School

    This episode, we take a trip back to our awkward high-school years to discuss what we read, what we didn't, and what stuck with us. Plus, quick thoughts on Kim Stanley Robinson's Aurora and Nicole Kornher-Stace's Archivist Wasp. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 16:00: What We're Reading 16:00 – 1:20:00: Books We Read in High School What Emily's Reading: Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire Faiths and Furies by Lauren Groff What Kyle's Reading: Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel We also discussed classic books that were probably on your high-school reading list. What did you read in high school? What books or teachers did you love or loathe? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC.

    1h 20m

  5. 09/08/2015

    Episode Fourteen: Bill Bryson

    This episode, we take a closer look at the bibliography of the amiable travel, science, and memoir writer Bill Bryson.  Plus, our quick thoughts on China Mieville, The Devil in the White City, and pop history vs. scholarly history. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 10:00: What We're Reading 10:00 – 53:00: Bill Bryson What Emily's Reading: Three Moments of an Explosion by China Mieville The Devil and the White City by Eric Larsen What Kyle's Reading: Cuba in Revolution: A History Since the 50s by Antonin Kapscia Bill Bryson Books We Discuss: The Lost Continent Notes from a Small Island In a Sunburned Country A Walk in the Woods I'm A Stranger Here Myself A Short History of Nearly Everything At Home: A Short History of Private Life One Summer: America 1927 Other Works Mentioned: The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell Gulp by Mary Roach The Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams We love hearing from readers! Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC.

    53 min

  6. 08/13/2015

    Episode Thirteen: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction

    This episode, we take a hopefully-not-too-grim look at the genre of post-apocalyptic fiction. Emily wonders why the genre attracts so many hyper-masculine writers and Kyle talks about one of his favorite and one of his least favorite novels. No spoilers to speak of in this episode. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 9:00: What We're Reading 9:00 – 1:00:00: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction What Emily's Reading: The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison The Incorruptables by John Horner Jacobs What Kyle's Reading: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Other Works Mentioned: "Sleep Donation" by Karen Russell "Black Moon" by Kenneth Calhoun The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Road by Cormac McCarthy Farnham's Freehold by Robert Heinlein A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller, Jr. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel California by Edan Lepucky The Stand by Stephen King "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury Buying books at Powell's by using these affiliate links helps support the show! Do you love or hate to read about the end of the world? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

    1 hr

  7. 07/21/2015

    Episode Twelve: The Martian

    This episode, we take a close look at Andy Weir's hard sci-fi novel The Martian and discuss its unusual publication history, its narrative structure, and how effective we thought the book turned out to be.  Plus, Emily's been on a horror kick and Kyle's been hate-watching True Detective, so he decided to pick up Nic Pizzolatto's debut novel. Warning: This episode contains some coarse language. Maybe don't listen with the kids around. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 15:00: What We're Reading 13:00 – 45:00: The Martian by Andy Weir What Emily's Reading: The Blumhouse Book of Nightmares, edited by Jason Blum Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror by Steve Alten The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter What Kyle's Reading: Galveston by Nic Pizzolatto Buying books at Powell's by using these affiliate links helps support the show! Are you an avid eBook or audiobook fanatic? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

    46 min

  8. 07/06/2015

    Episode Eleven: eBooks & Audiobooks

    This episode, we're talking about the alternative book formats: eBooks and audiobooks. We talk about our habits with each, our favorite examples of each medium, and what might be stopping these alternative formats from reaching their full potential. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 5:00: What We're Reading 5:00 – 55:00: eBooks & Audiobooks What Emily's Reading: The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan What Kyle's Reading: The Tusk That Did the Damage by Tania James Buying books at Powell's by using these affiliate links helps support the show! Are you an avid eBook or audiobook fanatic? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

    49 min
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

A podcast about books, literature, reading, publishing, and more. Hosted by Emily Hughes and Kyle Deas.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Hughes & Kyle Deas
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2016
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Portable Magic