The Buddies are going back to school reading popular high school novel, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Things haven’t changed much since high school for the Buddies as they struggled to interpret the true meaning of the novel. The satirical anti-war book did provide the buddies some good talking points,  namely: how being negative is a good thing, how life is easier when you’re hung like a horse, and the benefits of being a POW. So re-visit your high school reading assignments, pick up Slaughterhouse-Five and tell us what you think of the novel (or tell us what we were supposed to think).

Intro (0:00-2:49)
Stock Up/Down (2:50-26:16)
Favorite Scene/Character (26:17-28:49)
Love/Hate (28:50-34:33)
Lingering Questions/Listener Email (34:34-36:39)
Casting the Movie (36:40-37:20)
Conclusion (37:21-39:16)

NEXT BOOK: The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin

The Buddies take their 3rd and final crack at the ‘epic’ Shōgun by James Clavell. It’s been a long journey reading this 1,000+ page book, but if you followed along you’re now ready to dive into the new FX show. In their final installment the Buddies topics were very militaristic: ninjas, sacrificing pawns, pitched battles, and the dangers of pillow talk.  So join us for the last Banzai and our last time with our friends Toranaga, Mariko, Anjin, Omi, and Rodrigues.

Intro (0:00-2:36)
Stock Up/Down (2:37-36:21)
Favorite Scene/Character (36:22-41:28)
Love/Hate (41:29-51:30)
Lingering Questions (51:31-53:23)
Conclusion (53:24-58:32)

NEXT BOOK: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

The Buddies are back! After a bit of a hiatus (someone selfishly decided to travel), the Buddies are back at in covering books 2 & 3 of Shōgun (chapters 10-46). A lot to cover on this one as the Buddies got into the meat (or the rice and fish if you’re Japanese) of the James Clavell’s epic novel. The Buddies got to talking about scholarly things like: Karma, Religions, relieving yourself outside, and why Star Wars Episode 8 was awful. We hope you’ve followed us on this spiritual journey, jump on in and join us for chapters 10-46, because next week we’ll finish Shōgun and achieve full nirvana.

Intro (0:00-1:58)
Stock Up/Down (1:59-36:42)
Love/Hate (36:43-38:51)
Favorite Scene/Character (38:52-41:26)
Conclusion (41:27-42:31)

NEXT BOOK: Shōgun (Part 4 – Finish) by James Clavell

The Buddies are still reading through Shōgun (it's 50+ hours so give us a break), so they decided to jump into a different epic story based on a book. On this weeks episode they tackle 2021 blockbuster, Dune. They are joined once again by their buddy Mikko (@BuddyHive) to talk things over. They got to talking about spices, drugs, Pearl Harbor, and why you can assume anyone from Sweden is a bad guy. So take a little break from Japan (we assume you’re reading Shōgun along with us), and join us in a much dryer scenery as we worm our way through Dune.

Intro (0:00-2:40)
Stock Up/Down (2:11-31:03)
Love/Hate (31:04-39:28)
Studio Notes/Recasting (39:30-46:27)
Critics Review (46:28-49:03)
Conclusion (49:04-52:58)

NEXT BOOK: Shōgun (Part 2 & 3) by James Clavell

The Buddies start in on the epic historical fiction novel, Shōgun by James Clavell. They start with part 1 (prologue – chapter 9) on their 1,000+ page voyage. With a new tv show coming out on FX in February, the Buddies couldn’t put off D-mans favorite book any longer. The Buddies got to chatting about full sends, baths, and the importance of peeing on things to show dominance. We are even treated to a historical scene setting portion by D-man aka Dan Carlin 2.0. So bring your katana and wakizashi swords, some bubble soap (for the bath), as we soak in everything Shōgun has to offer.

Intro (0:00-2:10)
Stock Up/Down (2:11-22:19)
Favorite Scene (22:20-27:03)
Lingering Questions (27:04-32:13)
History/Scene Setting w/D-man aka Dan Carlin 2.0 (32:14-41:21)
Conclusion (45:04-43:16)

NEXT BOOK: Shōgun (Part 2 & 3) by James Clavell

The Buddies are (Matt) Crusing through books so far this year checking off Airborn by Kenneth Oppel from their list. Airborn had a little bit of everything, an alternate world, airships, and pirates. Combine those things with the fact that it is written for younger adults and it adds up to the perfect mix for the Buddies. It got them discussing the love for inanimate objects, big Zepplin, and the advantages of being stranded on a desert island. So check your career ambitions at the door, pack yourself some hydrium, and maybe a weapon or two, and join us as we take-off into Airborn. 

Intro + Book Report (0:00-3:55)
Stock Up/Down (3:56-25:25)
Favorite Character (25:26-28:13)
About the Book (28:14-30:36)
Love/Hate (30:37-36:33)
Lingering Questions (36:34-40:20)
Conclusion (40:21-41:57)

NEXT BOOK: Shōgun by James Clavell

The Buddies read their second Roald Dahl book in as many months, this time diving into fan favorite, Matilda. Dahl’s books have proven to be fun, quick reads, with the perfect reading level for the Buddies. To most, Matilda is the hero in this book, but the Buddies saw things differently. They discussed that, plus the intricacies of decorum, psychological warfare, and author rivalries. The Buddies were dishing up a full course of topics on this weeks podcast, and a chocolate cake for dessert. So, bring your appetite as we dig into Matilda by Roald Dahl.

Intro + Book Report (0:00-2:17)
Stock Up/Down (2:18-28:41)
Favorite Scene (28:42-30:11)
About the Book (30:12-32:07)
Love/Hate (32:08-37:06)
Lingering Questions (37:07-45:03)
Conclusion (45:04-46:53)

Next Book: AIRBORNE by KENNETH OPPEL 

The Buddies were honored to have Marschall Runge, M.D. on the podcast so they could chat about his debut medical thriller, Coded to Kill. Despite being severely outmatched in the IQ and credential department, the Buddies dug into Coded to Kill, discussing EHRs, what inspired the novel, and actors Dr. Runge would cast in the movie. They also were able to settle a few longstanding debates, namely: Texas vs Carolina BBQ, Jordan vs Lebron, and who will win the Michigan vs Washington national championship. So head to your local book store or e-retailer and pick up Coded to Kill, and join us and author Marschall Runge, M.D. for the first episode of 2024.

Intro: (0:00-1:20)
Interview w/ Marschall Runge, M.D. (1:21-26:16)
Stock Up/Down (26:17-45:53)
Love/Hate (45:54-55:30)
Conclusion (55:31-57:24)

Next Book: MATILDA by ROALD DAHL

The Buddies close out the year with a true book club book in Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Many said that the Buddies wouldn’t be able to comprehend this book, but many also said the Buddies would never get to 80 episodes, so it appears the haters were wrong (at least for the second one). The Buddies had some spicey topics this week chatting about being attracted to fish, sympathizing with terrorists, and animal deaths in stories. So, join us for the last pod of the year and take in the new years with our buddies Omeir, Anna, Zeno, and Konstance (Seymore can kick rocks).

Intro: (0:00-2:30)
Stock Up/Down (2:31-31:52)
Favorite Story Line (31:53-36:55)
Love/Hate (36:56-42:54)
Listener Mail (42:55-45:01)
Conclusion (45:02-48:00)

Next Book: CODED to KILL by MARSCHALL RUNGE, M.D.

The Buddies are still working hard at deciphering the Cloud Cuckoo Land book, so they decided with the upcoming holidays, they’d watch a wholesome, family oriented, Christmas movie: Bad Santa. The high-brow comedy got the Buddies talking about a lot of important holiday topics: like what makes something a Christmas movie, how young is too young to be drinking mimosas on Christmas morning, and if it’s appropriate to ‘punch-down’ and make fun of someone’s ‘gear’. So, fix yourself some sandwiches and a vodka neat, gather the whole family around, and watch one of the best Christmas movies with your Buddies.

Intro: (0:00-2:32)
Stock Up/Down (2:33-29:04)
Favorite Scene (29:05-31:14)
Love/Hate (31:15-39:22)
Conclusion (39:23-42:13)

Next Book: CLOUD CUCKOO LAND by ANTHONY DOERR