Shells! This is an episode about shells. They're everywhere, they're in everything and they're amazing! Buy The Sound of the Sea: https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Sea-Seashells-Fate-Oceans/dp/0393651444
Lou Mathews tells us about his work, his amazing book, and how he got a book that no publisher wanted to take a chance on traditionally published anyway. We also talk about East Coast chauvinism in book publishing. Buy Shaky Town: https://www.amazon.com/Shaky-Town-Novel-Lou-Mathews/dp/1735303801/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2CR5HUD9V36YC&keywords=shaky+town&qid=1654645863&sprefix=shaky+%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVllRS1c4R1ZGUEw1JmVuY3J5cHRlZE...
Lou and I talk about how awesome California is through the lens of Leonard Gardner's classic, Fat City. Buy Fat City: https://www.amazon.com/City-York-Review-Books-Classics/dp/1590178920/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1W2RP20IOEXPZ&keywords=fat+city&qid=1654212094&sprefix=fat+city%2Caps%2C311&sr=8-2
In part 2 of my discussion with Ruth Behar we talk about what it means to be a vulnerable observer. We also talk about Poland and Cuba during WWII, Bata drumming and Santeria. Buy Letters From Cuba: https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Cuba-Ruth-Behar/dp/0525516476/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1653591531&sr=8-1 Here's some Bata Drumming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id8E60-n2x8
Our first children's book! Ruth Behar and I talk about the amazingly deep and incredibly simple book, The Hundred Dresses but Elenor Estes. We talk about bullying and I have a bit of a sad revelation. Buy The Hundred Dresses by Elenor Estes: https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Dresses-Eleanor-Estes/dp/0152052607/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AW2Y95K0TQB9&keywords=the+hundred+dresses&qid=1652718673&sprefix=the+hundred+dresses%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1
I give Catherine Wolff the 3rd degree about the behavior of the Catholic church in recent decades and she defends the church pretty admirably. Beyond: How Humankind Thinks About Heaven: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Humankind-Thinks-About-Heaven/dp/1594634459
Catherine Wolff and I talk about Timothy Egan's book A Pilgrimage to Eternity. I also make her answer for all of the Catholic Church's crimes. Buy A Pilgrimage to Eternity: https://www.amazon.com/Pilgrimage-Eternity-Canterbury-Search-Faith/dp/0735225230 Beyond: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Humankind-Thinks-About-Heaven/dp/1594634459/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YKHFRSIK6D33&keywords=Beyond%2C+how+humankind&qid=1651783501&s=books&sprefix=beyond%2C+how+humankind%2Cstripbooks%2C123&sr=1-1...
Edwidge is an amazing writer and brilliant thinker. In this episode, I just try to keep up with limited success. Buy A Small Place: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Place-Jamaica-Kincaid/dp/0374527075/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GERRCMMYZ7YJ&keywords=a+small+place&qid=1651179527&sprefix=a+small+place%2Caps%2C283&sr=8-1 Learn More About Edwidge Danticat: https://edwidgedanticat.com
Mark Schatzker and I discuss how food has been altered over the last century and what the result is on the population at large. Hint: It may be THE reason why people are obese in such record numbers. If you've ever struggled with your weight, Shatzker's books might tell you why. We also learn where to get the best steak in LA. Buy The End Of Craving: https://www.amazon.com/End-Craving-Recovering-Wisdom-Eating/dp/1501192477/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgYSTBhDKARIsAB8KukvudPoO8iCVR7s0WAYXktm-6usDQ528...
Celebrated food writer Mark Schatzker and I talk about the Western classic True Grit by Charles Portis. I learn from Mark how much poultry factors into this story. Buy True Grit: https://www.amazon.com/True-Grit-Novel-Charles-Portis/dp/159020459X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DH1127F4MU6B&keywords=true+grit+book&qid=1649889088&sprefix=true+grit%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1 Learn more about Mark: https://www.markschatzker.com
Carrie Fountain and I talk about her poetry, Robert Frost, Gerrard Manly Hopkins and I accidentialy misgender Rilke. In my defense, his middle name is Maria. Buy The Life: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/650137/the-life-by-carrie-fountain/ Find Out More About Carrie Fountain: https://www.carriefountain.com
Texas Poet Laurete Carrie Fountain and I talk about Poetry, the driftless region and Jeffrey Dahmer. Buy God of Nothingness: https://www.amazon.com/God-Nothingness-Poems-Mark-Wunderlich/dp/1644450429 Me and Maggie Smith Talk About Carrie Fountain's Book:
M&A Legend and Venture Capitalist Ken Miller and I talk about the nature of fiction and the nature of money. Buy The Thousand Autumns Of Jacob De Zoet: https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Autumns-Jacob-Zoet-Novel/dp/0812976363/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18A7T5X1V6ZIP&keywords=the+thousand+autumns+of+jacob+de+zoet&qid=1648160985&sprefix=the+thousand+autumns+of%2Caps%2C305&sr=8-1
Vinod and I talk about the nature of memoir and novels, politics as a national pastime, and the Hindu attitude towards sex... Voltaire makes an appearance too... oh yea, so does the World Bank. Buy Silent Winds, Dry Seas: https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Winds-Dry-Seas-Novel/dp/0385547021/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18FLNDL7DL82P&keywords=silent+winds+dry+seas&qid=1646864464&s=books&sprefix=silent+winds+dry+%2Cstripbooks%2C123&sr=1-1
Vinod and I talk about about miserable Irish childhoods, the problem with the British, and the Catholic Church. Buy Angela's Ashes: https://www.amazon.com/Angelas-Ashes-Frank-McCourt-Memoirs/dp/0684874350/ref=asc_df_0684874350/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312371602209&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15996310014722693887&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031144&hvtargid=pla-463986682027&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adg...
Meghan and I talk about metaphors, living and dead ones. And about how modern tech philosophers and 3rd century church fathers basically make the same arguments. Buy Meghan's Book: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385543828 Read Meghan's Column in Wired: https://www.wired.com/author/meghan-ogieblyn/ More Meghan Essays (on her website): http://www.meghanogieblyn.com/writing-1 Here's The Gift I Sent Meghan's Husband: https://www.amazon.com/Laptop-CloudValley-Ultra-Thin-MacBook-Protect/dp/B079MC...
Meghan and I go down a rabbit hole about the nature of consciousness, and the brilliant but maybe slightly conspiratorial thinking of Julian Jaynes. This is a good one. Buy Meghan's Book: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385543828 Buy The Origins of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bi-Cameral Mind https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Consciousness-Breakdown-Bicameral-Mind/dp/0618057072/ref=asc_df_0618057072/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312674999652&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvra...
Russ and I talk about the United States, the Pulitzer prize and a diamond farm. Buy Wandering Through Winter: https://www.amazon.com/Wandering-Through-Winter-Naturalists-American/dp/B001U035GA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DA1J8E476NU5&keywords=wandering+through+winter&qid=1645139662&sprefix=wandering+through+%2Caps%2C257&sr=8-1 Here's a list of Pulitzer Prize For General Non-Fiction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer_Prize_for_General_Nonfiction...
Dr. Steeves tells us about the Clovis fallacy and how humans were on North America for thousands of years before the the current archeological orthodoxy suggests. It's worth mentioning that the New York Time just reviewed a book by Dr. Jennifer Raff called Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas that comes to the same conclusion. Buy Dr. Steeves Book! Buy The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere https://www.amazon.com/Indigenous-Paleolithic-Western-Hemisphere/dp/1496202171/ref=asc_...
Dr. Steeves and I talk about Joy Harjo's beautiful book. And my friend the ground squirrel. Buy Poet Warrior: https://www.amazon.com/Poet-Warrior-Memoir-Joy-Harjo/dp/0393248526/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1I6C55UDJ5SMC&keywords=poet+warrior+joy+harjo&qid=1643753424&sprefix=poet+warrior%2Caps%2C322&sr=8-1 Database Of Residential Schools: https://www.crscid.com
Maria Amparo Escandon and I talk about her book LA Weather. I insist on reading a passage from Southern California, An Island On The Land. Miami Book Fair Interview: https://www.miamibookfaironline.com/organizer/maria-amparo-escandon/ Buy LA Weather: https://www.amazon.com/L-Weather-Mar%C3%ADa-Amparo-Escandón-ebook/dp/B08QGL8XQ6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1642635566&sr=8-3
Maria Amparo and I talk about the baffling masterpiece of magical realism, Pedro Paramo by Juan Rulfo. Buy Pedro Paramo: https://www.amazon.com/Pedro-Paramo-Juan-Rulfo/dp/0802133908/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F7GH48ROG31L&keywords=pedro+paramo&qid=1642635519&sprefix=pedro+paramo%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-1 Buy LA Weather: https://www.amazon.com/L-Weather-Mar%C3%ADa-Amparo-Escandón-ebook/dp/B08QGL8XQ6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1642635566&sr=8-3...
Early American History Professor Peter Mancall and I talk about the Pilgrims, predestination and buggery. Buy Of Plymouth Plantation: https://www.amazon.com/Plymouth-Plantation-Dover-Value-Editions/dp/0486452603/ref=asc_df_0486452603/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312021455910&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1703685751642345781&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031148&hvtargid=pla-546784462047&psc=1 Buy The Trials Of T...
Author of Stealing Home, Eric Nusbaum and I talk about Lou Mathew's fantastic book Shaky Town. We talk about the Dodgers in probably a little too much detail but this podcast does not apologize for Dodger talk. I make some wildly incorrect predictions about the now finished Baseball season. I also tell a story about a how I predicted that Chris Taylor would hit 3 homers in a particular game... He did, I called it, but no one but my wife believes me. Eric's Super Cool Sports Blog: https://sportss...
I talk about my favorite books and look at the year ahead. Happy New Year! Orphaned Books: Billion Dollar Looser, Reeves Wiedman, 2020 Hachette (Adam Neumann) Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy 1878, Viking 2001 A Promised Land, 2021 Random House Say Nothing, Patrick Raden Keefe, 2019 Anchor Books BOOKS THAT STOOD OUT TO ME NON-FIC: Cadillac Deseret, Mark Reisner 1986 Penguin Book Art&Fear, David Bayles And Ted Orland 1993 Capra Press Steeling Home, Eric Nusbaum 2020 Hachette WonderWorks, Angus Flet...
Comedian, Actor and Author Wayne Federman and I talk about self help, sports, neurosis, and subjecting ourselves to criticism... we also talk about singing show tunes. More About Wayne: http://www.waynefederman.com/Wayne_Federmans_Official_Web_Site/Welcome.html Buy History Of Standup: https://www.amazon.com/History-Stand-Up-Mark-Twain-Chappelle/dp/B08YRP1R2G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9BIPORHXEZLE&keywords=wayne+federman&qid=1640905988&sprefix=wayne+federman%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1 Buy Atomic Ha...
Denise Hamilton and I talk about her anthology, Speculative Los Angeles. Another one from the Miami Book Fair: https://www.miamibookfair.com Buy Denise's Book, Speculative Los Angeles: https://www.amazon.com/Speculative-Los-Angeles-Denise-Hamilton/dp/1617758566
Denise Hamilton and I talk about They Shoot Horses Don't They? No horses were injured in the making of this episode. Another one from the Miami Book Fair: https://www.miamibookfair.com Buy They Shoot Horses, Don't They by Horace McCoy https://www.amazon.com/They-Shoot-Horses-Serpents-Classics/dp/184668739X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=They+Shoot+Horses+Dont%27+they&qid=1639687721&s=books&sr=1-1 Buy Denise's Book, Speculative Los Angeles: https://www.amazon.com/Speculative-Los-Angeles-Denise-H...
Jane and I talk about her amazing new book Perestroika in Paris. She slightly judges my taste in Russian authors. Another one from the Miami Book Fair: https://www.miamibookfair.com Buy Jane's Latest Book, Perestroika in Paris: https://www.amazon.com/Perestroika-Paris-novel-Jane-Smiley/dp/052543609X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LBNAJWTCPCRU&keywords=perestroika+in+paris+by+jane+smiley
Jane Smiley! Jane deploys some of her extensive Dickens knowledge and insightful criticism, I try to keep up. Another one from the Miami Book Fair: https://www.miamibookfair.com Buy Jane's Latest Book, Perestroika in Paris: https://www.amazon.com/Perestroika-Paris-novel-Jane-Smiley/dp/052543609X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LBNAJWTCPCRU&keywords=perestroika+in+paris+by+jane+smiley Buy Jane's Book About Dickens: https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Dickens-Life-Penguin-Lives-ebook/dp/B000OCXGBY/ref=tmm_kin_swa...
