
170 episodes

So Many Damn Books Christopher Hermelin + Drew Broussard
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- Books
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4.7 • 221 Ratings
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Christopher (@cdhermelin) and Drew (@drewsof) talk about reading, literature, publishing, and trying to make it through their never-dwindling stack of things to read. All with a themed drink in their hands.
Recorded at the Damn Library in Brooklyn, NY. For show info, book lists, and drink recipes, visit somanydamnbooks.com
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160: A.E. Osworth (WE ARE WATCHING ELIZA BRIGHT) & Patricia Lockwood's NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS
When A.E. Osworth drops into the Damn Library to talk about their novel We Are Watching Eliza Bright, that means we get to really talk about the Internet, since that's where their novel is largely set. This is also how we talk about video games, and epistolary novels, and the process of getting a couple different choruses on the page. Plus, we talk about Patricia Lockwood's No One is Talking About This, another Internet novel, getting very into the megabytes of how these two books treat their online spheres.
contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb
for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com
music: Disaster Magic
(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)
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159: K.M. Szpara (FIRST, BECOME ASHES) & Michael Crichton's JURASSIC PARK
Spring has sprung and we're in the mood for adventure, so we asked K.M. Szpara to join us in the Damn Library for as close to an adventure as we can get these days: chatting about adventure novels! We talk about Kellan's new novel First, Become Ashes, and BDSM, and cults -- and then everybody geeks the hell out about Jurassic Park, because it's worth a re-read (or three, or seven). Isn't comfort reading nice?
contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb
for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com
music: Disaster Magic
(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)
countdown timer by Rainbow Timers
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158: Reading Snapshot, March 2021
Herein, Christopher and Drew discuss how video games and assigned reading can help get the reading going, possible reading themed architectural additions to Drew's house, and how Spring reading is here! Plus some fun recommendations from Patreon listeners!
contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb
for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com
music: Disaster Magic
(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
157: The Morning News' 2021 Tournament of Books Begins
It's March again, which has a different meaning this year but it also still means that it's TOURNAMENT OF BOOKS TIME! With a ca-caw to you, and to you too, the guys do a bit of prognostication that will almost certainly prove to be wrong. But what's a sports-adjacent literary experience without a little bit of ridiculous superstition to go with it?
PS if you don't know about the ToB, check out the primer at TheMorningNews.org!
contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb
for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com
music: Disaster Magic
(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
156: Reading Snapshot, February 2021
It happens to all of us, at one point or another, and there's no shame in admitting it: Christopher's in a reading slump. So the guys talk about it, about the latest pandemic wall, about finding joy whenever and wherever a person can. It's a reading snapshot, but sometimes that means there isn't any reading! There isn't even a regular cocktail this time, which you know means we're getting down to Business.
contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb
for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com
music: Disaster Magic
(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)
Thank you to this episode's sponsors:
Get 25% off your first two orders on Literati Kids at literati.com/smdb.
Mulholland Books presents Joe Ide's new thriller, Smoke
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155: Jenny Offill (WEATHER) & Jean Rhys' WIDE SARGASSO SEA
Jenny Offill, author of Weather (now out in paperback) joins the Damn Library through the internet tubes. Christopher makes a second drink for the book (after he and his wife Sarah discussed it during one of the early pandemic eps), there's talk of How Things Have Changed and the writing process, and Jenny sends us to warmer climes with her book club pick: Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea!
contribute! https://patreon.com/smdb
for drink recipes, book lists, and more, visit: somanydamnbooks.com
music: Disaster Magic
(https://soundcloud.com/disaster-magic)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Bright Spot in Bleakness!
I’ve been enjoying your passion, insights, and wit for a few years. I always find you both interesting and a delightful listening experience. I want to give you a special ‘shout out’ for the recent program about finding less of that passion & pleasure. How brave, honest, and refreshing. I’ve been there too.
Though I typically read a few hours each day, which is not difficult because I’m retired, many days I’ve found myself watching some charming or inane program that seemed to capture my attention better than reading. This seemed shocking but very pandemicy!
I started the year off with a Scottish binge, including Jenni Fagan’s fabulous Luckenbooth and another historical fiction novel set in St. Kilda before it was evacuated. I consciously had to calm myself down with an Alexander McCall Smith’s Edinburgh series before I took on Shuggie Bain. In past years, this strategy would’ve been unnecessary but now it’s essential.
I felt comfort and company from your honesty about the impact of the pandemic on your reading lives!
Thanks for your outstanding contributions to my quality of life!
Andi
Well done
I’ve never really gotten into podcasts. Finally, after finding a short-lived book podcast that I really liked, I tried to find more. I was not very successful.
But THIS ONE! This one is good! I appreciate that the guys actually know what they are talking about, approach things in a vaguely (but not not overly-) intellectual manner, and give their guest authors space to steer the conversation. I like the variety of guests that they host as well as the episodes that don’t have any guests, when they do book recommendations and lists. Also, it has a sense of humor, and a refreshing lack of vocal fry. Great work!
Oh, also, cocktails. I’m a bartender (or was until Covid) and I really enjoy hearing what they come up with.
Excellent Podcast!
If you’re on the hunt for new reading material, or want to hear some fantastic discussions with authors about their works, then you’ll really get down on this podcast. I get a sizable chunk of my reading list from Christopher and Drew’s suggestions. Highly recommend!