Paperback Friends

Book sequels are everywhere.

Fantasy becomes trilogies. Trilogies become sprawling series. Successful books grow into franchises that can last for decades.

But is that actually good for storytelling?

In this episode I explore why writers keep returning to the same worlds, why readers keep asking for more, and why I sometimes think the most powerful thing a story can do... is end.

From worldbuilding and publishing realities to The Wheel of Time, Blood Song, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, this is a conversation about ambition, restraint, and whether "more" really means "better."

Type: General | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

Personal efficiency expert Oskar Eklind once again honors us with his presence! This time he talks about something that I hear people mention quite often; not reading as much anymore.

Why do we stop reading, when does it happen, and how can we pick it back up again? These and more questions we cover in this great interview episode.

Thanks for taking the time Oskar; it feels so nice to get an expert's perspective.

If you are curious about Oskar and his personal efficiency coaching, his podcast or his news letter you can find more information on his webpage.

Type: Interview | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

I've never really been a crime thriller reader.

So what happens when I finally pick one up?

This week I review Patricia Wolf's Outback—a thriller set in the unforgiving Australian outback where two backpackers disappear, a detective from Berlin arrives searching for her sister, and the hunt for a killer begins.

Along the way we talk about suspense, mystery, realism, why revealing the villain too early can drain a story of its tension... and whether this genre is simply one that isn't for me.

A fun experiment, even if that is all it will ever amount to.

Type: Review | Book: Outback | Writer: Patricia Wolf

Everyone wants to know how to get published. Few people talk about what that journey actually looks like.

In this Writing 101 episode, I break down the publishing process—from finding the right concept and approaching publishers to literary agents, pitching your manuscript, marketing yourself, and why talent alone is rarely enough.

If you've ever dreamed of writing a book, or wondered why getting published is so difficult, this episode is for you.

Huge thanks to Nina Tegar for supplying some of the spine for the episode.

Other sources:

• https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US
• https://www.myidentifiers.com/identify-protect-your-book/isbn/buy-isbn
• https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GTJ8LBXL6Z4WV5QX
• https://tegarforlag.se/

Type: Writing 101 | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

Sometimes the books we overlook are the ones that surprise us the most.

In this review, I dive into Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden—a century-old children's novel about healing, friendship, nature, and becoming a better person. What begins as a simple story about a neglected garden becomes something much deeper: a thoughtful exploration of how people grow when given kindness, purpose, and the right environment.

I discuss Burnett’s writing, the power of simplicity, why this novel has endured for generations, and why sometimes a book does not need to be complicated to be meaningful.

Type: Review | Book: The Secret Garden | Writer: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Why does some writing feel beautiful while other writing feels like it is desperately trying to prove how beautiful it is?

In this Writing 101 episode, I explore the concept of purple prose: overly elaborate, flowery, and self-indulgent writing that can distract from the story instead of enhancing it.

But this isn't an attack on descriptive writing. Great prose can be powerful, poetic, and unforgettable. The question is where the line is between meaningful style and unnecessary decoration.

I discuss what purple prose is, where the term comes from, why it can hurt a story, and how writers can use language with more purpose.

Type: Writing 101 | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

The five-star-legend is back!

In Down and Out in Paris and London, Orwell trades fictional warnings for personal experience, recounting his time living in poverty, working brutal jobs, and surviving alongside society’s forgotten people.

But this is not just a book about being poor. It is about dignity, class, survival, and the systems that decide who gets opportunities and who gets left behind.

Join me as I explore why Orwell’s simple, direct writing remains so powerful nearly a century later, and why this forgotten corner of his work deserves more attention.

Type: Review | Book: Down and Out in Paris and London | Writer: George Orwell

Alright, nothing to see here, just a new trailer for the podcast =)

/Sam - 11/04-2026.

Locke Lamora returns to Paperback Friends!

In this episode, we return to Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastard series and review Red Seas Under Red Skies – a fantasy adventure full of elaborate schemes, dangerous enemies, pirates, and some of the most memorable names and cultures fantasy has to offer.

But is the sequel able to capture the magic of The Lies of Locke Lamora?

I explore what Scott Lynch does well, from his characters and worldbuilding to his incredible attention to detail, while also discussing where the story starts to struggle under the weight of its own plot.

A book full of ambition, creativity, and just enough tomfoolery to make your favorite book podcaster lose his mind.

Type: Review | Book: Red Seas Under Red Skies | Writer: Scott Lynch

Not every book conversation needs to become a competition.

In this episode of Paperback Friends, we are talking about book snobbery — why some readers feel the need to judge what others read, and why nobody should have to defend the books that bring them joy.

Whether you read classics, fantasy, romance, self-help, or something someone else considers "lesser," your enjoyment is what matters.

Books can challenge us, teach us, and connect us — but they should never become a way to make other people feel small.

Join me as I explore the difference between having strong opinions about books, and turning those opinions into elitism.

Type: General | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A