So Many Damn Books - podcast cover

So Many Damn Books

Christopher Hermelinwww.somanydamnbooks.com
A blessing, a curse, a podcast, since 2014. Christopher (@cdhermelin) invites folks to the Damn Library to talk about reading, literature, publishing, and trying to make it through the never-dwindling stack of things to read. All with a themed drink in hand. Recorded at the Damn Library in Brooklyn, NY. For show info, book lists, and drink recipes, follow @somanydamnbooks and visit somanydamnbooks.com

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Episodes

43: Stephanie Danler & "Bluets"

Stephanie Danler, author of the highly recommended Sweetbitter, joins the guys in the Damn Library for a chat about anything and everything. Food, identity, sex - you name it, they talk about it. TWO cocktails are imbibed and Maggie Nelson's exceptional Bluets is unanimously praised. 15 seconds of a song: "The Clearest Blue" - CHVRCHES Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 31, 201643 min

42: Alexander Chee & "What Belongs to You"

Alexander Chee stops into the Damn Library for a Lilliet and a discussion of his novel The Queen of the Night. Drew and Christopher ask after pop culture parallels and fidelity to nonfiction. They also discuss Garth Greenwell's What Belongs to You and whether or not you're a sucker to fall in love with a prostitute. 15 seconds of a song: I Love Paris - Sam Butera and the Witnesses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 18, 201634 min

41: "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72"

Drew and Christopher see if they can draw any comparisons between the current election and Hunter S. Thompson's other Fear and Loathing book. Not the one that he goes to Las Vegas. Gonzo journalism is discussed, but sadly, not Gonzo from the Muppets. Fifteen Seconds of a Song: "American Girl" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 27, 201627 min

40: #TOB16 Wrap-Up with Nozlee Samadzadeh and Will Chancellor

And that's a wrap! What a tournament of books that was! Tournament of Books producer Nozlee and former contestant (with his book A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall) Will Chancellor stop by the Damn Library to talk believability, tooth truths, good tourney moments, and much more! 15 Seconds of a song: Taki Rari - Yma Sumac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 201642 min

39: #TOB16 Chatter

Drew and Christopher talk their brackets and re-reading. They wax nostalgic on the week past and dive deep into the remaining match-ups as we head into the finals. Plus, a bookish wager on who will take the Rooster home. 15 Seconds of a song: The Aquabats - Magic Chicken! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 28, 201623 min

38: Katy Waldman & More #TOB16

Katy Waldman stops by the Damn Library to drink "The Rooster" and prognosticate. Jane Austen keeps getting updated, the trio relives the first round of the TOB's ups and downs, and then a deep dive into Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff somehow reveals which presidential couple is most like the Underwoods from House of Cards . And more! 15 Seconds of a Song: Modest Mouse - Wild Packs of Family Dogs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 21, 201632 min

37: Angela Flournoy & #TOB16

Angela Flournoy, author of the Turner House, stops by the Damn Library, fresh off her Tournament of Books win in round one against Ban en Banlieue. She and the guys talk where she was when her novel published, whether or not she believes in ghosts, and how it was to write in Iowa. And of course they all discuss Tournament happenings and could-happens. 15 Seconds of a song: Kamasi Washington "Rerun" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 14, 201642 min

36: Maris Kreizman & "The Invaders"

It's tournament time!! Christopher drinks a Slaughtering Mary, Drew and Maris Kreizman don't. They all discuss Maris' book/blog Slaughterhouse 90210 and Kickstarter, and then delve into the complexities of The Invaders by Karolina Waclawiak. There's also a little ToB prognostication. CAWWWWW! 30 Seconds of a song: "Frenchy" from the 30 Rock OST. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 08, 201639 min

35: Mark de Silva & "Less than Zero"

Over a round of Dark and Particularly Stormys, Drew and Christopher have the pleasure of chatting, friendly-like, with Mark de Silva, author of Square Wave, out now from Two Dollar Radio. Jazz is discussed! So is Donna Tartt! And Misogyny! And how Bret Easton Ellis got to be the way he is! And so much more. 15 seconds of a song: The Beach Boys, "Catch a Wave" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 201645 min

34: Laura Van Den Berg & "The Naked Eye"

Laura Van Den Berg stops by the Damn Library to talk about her novel Find Me and Yoko Tawada's The Naked Eye. We also find out what tv show she can't stop repeating, and discuss a lot about getting lost, both physically and in translation. Plus, she talks Tournament of Books - her favorites and who might win! 15 seconds of a song: "Charade" by Si Zentner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 10, 201640 min

33: The 2016 Tournament of Books Shortlist

Christopher and Drew can't contain their excitement - the short list for the Morning News' ToB 2016 is here, and they are discussing every title. They also explain this whole tournament business, talk snubs and loves, and teach you a new cocktail to make. Amongst other things. 15 seconds of a song: A Band of Bees "Chicken Payback" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 03, 201623 min

32: "The Pickle Index"

Drew and Christopher talk about what books they were given for Christmas, 2016 reading goals, experimentally designed books they love, and then Eli Horiwitz's The Pickle Index which they tried to experience it every which way it came out. App recommendations commence. Review us on iTunes! Share! Retweet! 15 seconds of a song: Jim Dooley's Pushing Daisies Score Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 201624 min

31: Christopher and Drew's Top 6 of 2015

The damn hosts choose 4 books they loved in 2015, and one book each that the other didn't read/love. Also, one to grow on. Bye-bye, 2015! You were a year. 15 seconds of a song: The Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 30, 201511 min

30: Marie-Helene Bertino & "A Little Life"

Marie-Helene Bertino stops by the deck hall'd Damn Library in full seasonal good cheer to talk about her novel, 2 A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas. Holiday music is played. A Little Life is discussed. Butter is pondered. Gifts are given! A very happy holiday from So Many Damn Books! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 201547 min

29: Ryan Britt & "Star Wars: Heir to the Empire"

Ryan Britt stops by the Damn Library to explain the deeper meanings of why Luke Skywalker Can't Read (which is also the title of his new essay collection). The guys then discuss a classic Star Wars novel - Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn - over Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters. They also cover Christmas. And Ryan pitches a Dickens movie. 15 seconds of a Song: R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Dec 02, 201535 min

28: Alexandra Kleeman & "The Blind Owl"

Alexandra Kleeman takes So Many Damn Books down the rabbit hole as Drew and Christopher discuss her novel, You Too Can Have a Body Like Mine, as well as the novel The Blind Owl. Everyone gets unsettled. 15 Seconds of a Song: Lucy Rose - Middle of the Bed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 17, 201545 min

27: "Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl"

The two nonmaj/muggles discuss Harry Potter spinoffs, whether or not they listen to music when they read, and Carrie Brownstein's memoir Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl. ~15 seconds of a song: Sleater-Kinney "The Fox" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 07, 201533 min

26: "City on Fire" & "Purity"

Christopher institutes a new buying books rule for himself, Drew likes scary books, and they both have very different opinions on City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg and Purity by Jonathan Franzen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 23, 201543 min

25: Happy Birthday!

The gentlemen discuss their favorite book they've read for the podcast so far, a few books they'd like to see in the next Tournament of Books, and tell you how to win a copy of City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg. Amongst other things. 15 seconds of a song: Selena Gomez - Birthday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 06, 201531 min

24: Will Chancellor Strikes Back

With Drew under quarantine (he caught the plague), the guys call on Will Chancellor to step in. He returns to the Damn Library to go deep with Christopher on Jesse Ball's latest novel, "A Cure for Suicide". 15 Seconds of a Song: Del Amitri, "Roll to Me" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 22, 201546 min

23: Vanessa Manko ("The Invention of Exile") & "The English Patient"

Vanessa Manko drops in to talk about how writing is like dancing, her novel The Invention of Exile 's editing journey, and they all discuss T he English Patient , and suggest a novel they'd like to see made into a movie. Fifteen seconds of a song: Fountain's of Wayne, "Mexican Wine" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 10, 201543 min

22: Isaac Fitzgerald & "Infinite Home"

Isaac Fitzgerald skates by the Damn Library and joins the guys to talk about his Pen & Ink series, Kathleen Alcott's "Infinite Home", and the joys of recommending books. Hilarity ensues. Also maybe some 80s metal. Fifteen Seconds of a Song: Belle & Sebastian, "Wrapped Up in Books" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 25, 20151 hr 1 min

21: Summer. Reading.

The guys introduce a new segment ("Reading Comprehension"), which leads to some serious questions. They also discuss their summer reading habits, the Man Booker longlist, and Christopher continues to shame Drew for not reading "A Little Life". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 12, 201528 min

20: Ferrante Fever / "My Brilliant Friend"

In which Drew and Christopher wonder what spumoni is (it's ice cream), talk about the books they bought, discuss Elena Ferrante and the first book in her Neapolitan saga, and they recommend books to each other, like usual. 15 seconds of a song: Mama by Lunchmoney Lewis also featured: Money by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 28, 201526 min

19: Comics / "Sex Criminals"

Summer break is over and the guys return to the Damn Library to discuss graphic novels, comics, brimping, and Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky's "Sex Criminals". 15 Seconds of a Song: "Desire", Years & Years Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 14, 201527 min

18: Saeed Jones ("Prelude to Bruise") & "Citizen: An American Lyric"

BuzzFeed Literary Editor Saeed Jones drops by the Damn Library to talk about his PEN/Joyce Osterweil Award-winning collection "Prelude to Bruise", Claudia Rankin's incendiary "Citizen: An American Lyric", and whether or not art can change the world. 15 Seconds of a song: AG Cook, "Beautiful" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 08, 201556 min

17: Lev Grossman & "Mrs. Dalloway"

In which Lev Grossman visits the Damn Library to talk about his Magicians trilogy and (one of his) favorite book(s) of all time: Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway". 15 Seconds of a Song: "Magic" by Ben Kweller Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 18, 201542 min

15: Catherine Lacey

In which Catherine Lacey (author of "Nobody is Ever Missing") drops by the Manhattan branch of the Damn Library! Drinks are made, bathtubs are revealed, and escape is discussed (among many other things). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 20, 201543 min

14: ToB Wrap-Up & Call-In

The guys chat with ToB Commish Kevin Guilfoile about the ToB and his writing, then get some friends from the commentariat on the phone including Neighbors73, BradMcGinty, Melanie, and itsonlyzach. The ToB is over, long live the ToB! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 10, 201555 min
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