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6 NOV

Ep 436 - Most Anticipated for November & December + THE LIBRARIANS!

Brea and Mallory name their most anticipated books for November and December! Plus, they interview the filmmaker behind the new documentary The Librarians, Kim A. Snyder. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com! Reading Glasses Merch Recommendations Store The Reading Glasses Book! Sponsors - IngramSpark www.ingramspark.com/learnmore GreenChef www.greenchef.com/50GLASSES CODE: 50GLASSES Links - Reading Glasses Facebook Group Reading Glasses Goodreads Group Wish List Newsletter Libro.fm To join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership! www.maximumfun.org/join The Librarians Books Mentioned - Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab Somebody is Walking on Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez, translated by Megan McDowell November Bitter Honey by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström Literary fiction, mother-daughter relationship, Swedish pop star whose mother is trying to protect her from the past Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite Literary fiction, family curse, a woman whose family believes she is another family member reincarnated Lucky Seed by Justinian Huang Literary fiction, matriarch of a wealthy family is pushing her gay nephew to produce an heir for the family Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto Literary fiction, woman learning the truth of her glamorous grandmother’s star crossed queer love story That’s Not How It Happened by Craig Thomas Literary fiction, family whose lives get adapted into a movie and chaos ensues, creator of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes Literary fiction, bad-mom trope, generational trauma, Siddhartha reimagining Queen Esther by John Irving Return to the world of The Cider House Rules The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu, translated by Matt Treyvaud Magical realism, a fox spirit who sells magic healing treats to humans Deeper than the Ocean by Mirta Ojito Literary fiction, multigenerational, immigration, family ties The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdie Short stories, magical realism Palaver by Bryan Washington Literary fiction, family, healing The Pelican Child by Joy Williams Short stories, the struggle of living Days at the Torunka Cafe by Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa Literary fiction, set in Tokyo, three people find literal and emotional nourishment The Botanist’s Assistant by Peggy Townsend Mystery, cozy, research assistant to a botanist must solve a murder The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum Historical mystery, Jazz Age Harlem, woman and her orphaned charge must solve a murder The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf Thriller, someone dies at a “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party, secrets Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino Thriller, satire, competitive real estate market, woman who has lost out on 11 houses will do anything to get her dream home With Friends Like These by Alissa Lee Thriller, group of college friends who have been playing a killing game known as The Circus for 20 years The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan Thriller, dark academia, Scotland, rivalling secret orders of women battling to find a medieval manuscript, murder Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop Fantasy, contemporary, paranormal detective, start of series The Nameless Land by Kate Elliot Fantasy, epic, sequel to The Witch Roads The Merge by Grace Walker Sci fi, dystopian, a world where the separate consciousnesses of two people can be put in one body Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree Third book of Legends and Lattes I, Media by Ayana Gray Historical fiction, retelling, Greek mythology, villain origin story Aphrodite by Phoenicia Rogerson Historical fiction, retelling, Greek mythology Beasts of the Sea by Iida Turpeinen, translated by David Hackston Historical fiction, Finland, triple timeline, 1700s naturalist, 1850s Alaskan governor finds mysterious skeleton, 1950s museum curator Last Call at the Savoy by Brisa Carleton Historical fiction, historian investigating story of first female celebrity bartender The Mad Wife by Meagan Church Historical fiction, 1950s housewife, motherhood, identity The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry Horror, child disappearance, scary house, woman returning home to confront childhood mystery The Villa, Once Beloved by Victor Manibo Horror, gothic, Philippines, diaspora, intergenerational trauma, demons Second Chance Romance by Olivia Dade Contemporary romance, small town, plus size heroine, second chance, grumpy/grumpy Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger Dark romance, gothic, paranormal, forbidden, grumpy/grumpy, enemies to lover, dark magic, touch her and die The Marriage Narrative by Claire Kann Contemporary romance, reality TV, marriage of convenience Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi Romantasy, spicy, set in the Black South, queer, magic Ember Eternal by Chlore Neill Romantasy, thief with secret magic, court intrigue/imperial politics Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Kremphotlz Romantasy, plant witch and grumpy alchemist must save their small town from a magical plague The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers Romantasy, disgraced bookseller restores a magical bookshop and enters dark underworld of dark ink magic and shady collectors Book of Lives by Margaret Atwood Memoir Cher: The Memoir, Part Two The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation by Jim Clyburn Memoir Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore by Ashley D. Farmer Biography of woman who helped found modern Black nationalism and who led the fight for reparations We Did OK, Kid by Anthony Hopkins Memoir Star of the Show: My Life on Stage by Dolly Parton Memoir Bread of Angels by Patti Smith Memoir 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life by Dick Van Dyke Autobiography Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore by Char Adams History, the role of Black-owned bookstores in Black political movements throughout U.S. history Thirst Trap by Gráinne O'Hare Literary fiction, queer, friendship, moving from late 20s to early 30s Where There's Room for Us by Hayley Kiyoko Queer YA romance in reimagined queernorm Victorian England The Dramatic Life of Jonah Penrose by Robyn Green Queer romance, Red White and Royal Blue but in the London theater scene As Many Souls as Stars by Natasha Siegel Queer romantasy, sapphic, witch and demon caught in game across multiple lifetimes Petty Lies by Sulmi Bak, translated by Sarah Lyo Horror, epistolary, four characters locked in a cycle of vengeance December The Snake-Eater by T Kingfisher Fantasy, contemporary, horror, woman leaves the city to live in her late aunt’s house, an ancient god comes to collect on aunt’s unfulfilled promise The Birdwater by Jacquelyn Mitchard Literary fiction, journalist investigates a former classmate who is accused of murder The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick Magical realism, magical coffee which grants you a wish, protagonist wishes to revisit her past so she can change the present House of Day, House of Night by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones Reprint of early novel - series of interconnected short stories The Jaguar’s Roar by Micheliny Verunschk, translated by Juliana Barbassa Historical fiction, parallel timelines - one is an Indigenous girl in the 1800s who is kidnapped, and another that is a modern woman’s search for her Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson Fantasy, short stories Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana Fantasy, woman must secretly join enemy’s magical school after her clan is killed, djinn, vengeance We Will Rise Again edited by Karen Lord, Annalee Newitz, and Malka Older Spec fic, short stories, essays, protest, resistance, hope, interviews The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson Paranormal romance, wolf shifter, Christmas, contemporary Tender Cruelty by Katee Robert Dark romance, Hera/Zeus, Greek retelling, spicy The Dark is Descending by Chloe C. Peñaranda Third in romantasy trilogy The Sea Captain’s Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World by Tilar J. Mazzeo History, Gold Rush–era, maritime adventure, Mary Ann Patten - first woman captain of a merchant ship Galapagos by Fátima Vélez, translated by Hannah Kauders Weird fiction, queer, group of artists who are dying of AIDS embark on a surreal final voyage through the Galapagos Islands Song of Ancient Lovers by Laura Restrepo, translated by Caro de Robertis Fantasy, retelling, mythical love story, Queen of Sheba and King Solomon Cape Fever by Nadia Davids Horror, gothic, psychological, historical, 1920s, maid finds herself entangled with the spirits of a decaying manor, secrets An Anthology of Rural Stories by Writers of Color edited by Deesha Philyaw Short stories Winter Stories by Ingvild Rishøi Short stories Secrets of the First School by TL Huchu Final Edinburgh Nights book Better in Black: Ten Stories of Shadowhunter Romance by Cassandra Clare Short stories The Happiness Collector by Crystal King Spec fic, a historian’s dream job in Italy takes a dark turn when she discovers her employers aren’t human The Last Vampire by Romina Garber YA dark fantasy, boarding school, Pride and Prejudice meets Crave The Library of Fates by Margot Harrison Romantasy, two former classmates race to find a rare book that can foretell your future if you confess a secret from your past A Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death by Maxie Dara Cozy fantasy mystery, when a killer targets her brother, a grim reaper risks everything to save him Romantasy Cocktails by Jassy Davis Cooking A Steep and Savage Path by JJA Harwood Romantasy, vampires, dark romance, enemies to lovers, journey to the underworld We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark Romantasy, Ancient Rome, Rome-antasy, vampires, slow burn, magic creatures, gods An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole

6 Nov

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59 min
13 NOV

Ep 437 - So Many Magical Cafes - Our Favorite Establishments in Books!

Brea and Mallory discuss their favorite establishments in books! Plus, they review StoryTerra and solve a reader problem about which library to use. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com! Reading Glasses Merch Recommendations Store The Reading Glasses Book! Sponsors - ZocDoc www.zocdoc.com/GLASSES Factor www.factormeals.com/GLASSES50OFF CODE: GLASSES50OFF Links - Reading Glasses Facebook Group Reading Glasses Goodreads Group Wish List Newsletter Libro.fm To join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership! www.maximumfun.org/join StoryTerra Book Riot Article Books Mentioned - Angel Down by Daniel Kraus Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kishiwai, translated by Jesse Kirkwood Shady Hollow by Juneau Black Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz Wretched Waterpark by Kiersten White Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller

13 Nov

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41 min
22/12/2024

Episode 117 - Beef 2024

Jessica Ransom, George Fouracres, Michael Clarke, Henry Paker, Mike Wozniak and Linnea Sage join us this week as we look back over the biggest news stories from 2024. Co-written with Helen Price. Stock media provided by Setuniman/Pond5.com and Soundrangers/Pond5.com Music credit courtesy of epidemicsound.com: Sommarpsalm / Traditional An Abyss of Sadness / Jon Bjork Ain't Gonna Change (Instrumental Version) / House Of Say

22/12/2024

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51 min
30 OCT

Episode 127 - Beef Pie

Tom Crowley, Anna Leong Brophy, Cody Dahler, Gemma Arrowsmith, Sammy Dobson, Gareth Gwynn and Linnea Sage join in this week as we hear a ground breaking audio horror drama from 1985. Written by Tom Crowley Episode art by Tom Crowley Stock media provided by Setuniman/Pond5.com and Soundrangers/Pond5.com Music credit courtesy of epidemicsound.com: Staionary Sign / Haunted Playhouse Pinao Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488 1. Allegro - Mozart / Mira Ma Synthetic Tides / In Ruins Death On Mars / Etienne Roussel

30 Oct

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48 min
18/12/2020

Ep. 71: Ben Feldman & Lauren Ash

Can we get a price check on podcasts? It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself -- featuring stars from the hit NBC sitcom “Superstore”! Ben Feldman is an actor known for playing quirky and lovable characters on shows like “Mad Men” and “Drop Dead Diva.” But he’ll tell us about one role that allowed him to showcase his talent of portraying a jerk… and Helen Hong was there to see it in person! Ben is in the upcoming series “Monsters at Work” on Disney+. Ben’s opponent is renowned comedian and actor Lauren Ash. Like Ben, she also stars in “Superstore.” She’ll tell us about how the show has helped her navigate uncharted waters, including life in a pandemic and stan twitter. Lauren also hosts the podcast “True Crime and Cocktails” This week, our contestants will answer questions about the joy of competition and the magic of true love. What’s the difference: Copycat What’s the difference between “Imitate” and “Emulate”? What’s the difference between cat hair and cat fur? Areas of Expertise Ben Feldman: The play and move Glengarry Glen Ross, 1990’s Alt-Rock, Los Angeles sandwiches. Lauren Ash: The TV show “The X-Files,” The TV show “90-Day Fiance” and the 1992-93 Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Ben Feldman Lauren Ash With guest experts: David and Annie Toborowsky, couple featured on the TLC series “90 Day Fiance” and stars of “Spice It Up” on Facebook Watch. (“90 Day Fiancé” currently airs Sunday nights on TLC and new 90 Day spinoffs will be on the new streaming platform Discovery+, launching January 4th). Joe Mantegna, Tony Award-winning actor who performed in the original cast of Glengarry Glen Ross. Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance. Theme Song by Jonathan Green Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Mask-wearing by YOU.

18/12/2020

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1h 17m
20 OCT

MBMBaM 785: Face 2 Face: Freelance Body Inspector

Live from Salt Lake City, we’re here to turn Justin’s worst day into the best day ever with the beautiful Kingsbury Hall and some great advice about how to rebrand your grandmas, amusing your bouche, and art heists. Suggested talking points: Recreational Poisoning, Neighbor Cuck Dog, My Christmas Is Inside You, Unaccompanied Crustacean, The Great Peabo Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/

20 Oct

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1h 23m
4 SEPT

How Hollow Knight Became Such A Phenomenon

On this, the day of Silksong's release, it's time to go back to where it all began: Hollow Knight! The Triple Click gang talks about Team Cherry's 2017 action-adventure game, what makes it so special, and how it became a cultural phenomenon. Plus: they revisit Kotaku Splitscreen's 2018 interview with the developers of Hollow Knight. One More Thing: Kirk: Split Fiction Maddy: Deep Cover (2025) Jason: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages LINKS: “Hornet” and “City of Tears” by Chris Larkin from the Hollow Knight OST Kirk’s review of Hollow Knight: https://kotaku.com/hollow-knight-the-kotaku-review-1827367425 A video of someone beating the Absolute Radiance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rg8UBKtt1o Excerpts from Kirk’s August 2018 Splitscreen interview with Team Cherry Jason’s 2025 interview with Team Cherry Folding Ideas on Silkposting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSkbylysplI Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join All-New Triple Click Merch!! https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

4 Sept

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1h 15m
11 SEPT

Triple Play: Hollow Knight: Silksong

Maddy, Jason, and Kirk finally crack into the long-awaited Silksong, the sequel to Hollow Knight that was seven years in the making. They talk about how Silksong compares to its predecessor, the classic origin of its musical motif, and of course, why Hornet is such a badass. One More Thing: Kirk: The Cloud Roads (Martha Wells) Maddy: Elden Ring Nightreign’s four-player mod by Yui Jason: The NFL LINKS: “Enter Pharloom,” “Moss Grotto,” “Title Theme” by Christopher Larkin from Hollow Knight: Silksong Twenty Thousand Hertz on Dies Irae: https://www.20k.org/episodes/diesirae Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join All-New Triple Click Merch!! https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

11 Sept

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1h 10m
28/03/2024

We Seriously Can't Stop Playing Balatro

Balatro is one of the best games of 2024 so far — and certainly the most addictive. This week, the Triple Click gang dives into the new poker roguelike and dissects what makes it so great. They talk about the three phases of Balatro players, the appeal of randomness, and the thrill of this game's parade of interesting decisions. One More Thing: Kirk: Dragon’s Dogma 2 Maddy: Princess Peach Showtime! Jason: The Last Murder at the End of the World (Stuart Turton) LINKS: Preorder Jason’s Book! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jason-schreier/play-nice/9781538725429/ Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/join Buy Triple Click Merch: https://maxfunstore.com/search?q=triple+click&options%5Bprefix%5D=last Join the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpod Triple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

28/03/2024

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1h 4m
13/06/2022

Stories That David Sedaris is Finally Free to Tell

Honestly, I really expected to call this episode “Covid Sedaris” because David Sedaris had just tested positive for COVID when we taped the interview. But when we spoke, he wasn’t feeling it much at all. Had some symptoms that might have been allergies or COVID but were barely noticeable. Other people have it a lot worse, he says. David has been delighting audiences for 30 years now, ever since the broadcast of Santaland Diaries. His latest book, Happy-Go-Lucky, is deceptively titled, containing a lot of stories and memories that are pretty painful. David’s father died last year at age 98 and liberated David to share some things he hasn’t shared so openly before. He talks about how his father ridiculed him, belittled him, and just flat out didn’t like him. He shares the story of being invited to give the commencement address at Princeton and bringing along his dad, who told the university president that they should have booked his sister Amy Sedaris instead. David also shares stories of his sister Tiffany, who died by suicide in 2013. He’s caught heat over the years for writing and talking about how difficult it was for him to deal with her when she was at her most unstable. He also talks about the charges of abuse Tiffany made against David and their father before he died. There are still plenty of laughs in the interview because, come on, it’s David Sedaris, but there’s also pain and melancholy that you might not have heard from him before. Get your copy of David Sedaris' Happy-Go-Lucky wherever books are sold. Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun. Hey, remember, you’re part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org. Help is available right away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALK Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741. International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines The Depresh Mode newsletter is available twice a week. Subscribe for free and stay up to date on the show and mental health issues. https://johnmoe.substack.com/ John's acclaimed memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is available here. https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-hilarious-world-of-depression/ Find the show on Twitter @depreshpod and Instagram @depreshpod. John is on Twitter @johnmoe.

13/06/2022

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1h 1m

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