Paperback Friends

Sometimes you just have books sitting on your shelf that you cannot wait to get to.

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m taking a quick look at three upcoming books that have me especially excited: Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s Aurora Cycle, and George Orwell’s essay Why I Write.

I’ll talk about what these books are about, why I picked them, and what I hope they bring to the table.

From sarcastic security cyborgs to chaotic space crews and another dive into the mind of one of my favorite writers, these are three books I’m very excited to explore.

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

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m reviewing Dennis Lehane’s psychological thriller Shutter Island — a story filled with mystery, paranoia, and a disturbing question: what happens when you can no longer trust your own perception of reality?

I’ll talk about Lehane’s writing, the unforgettable central concept, and the way the novel plays with the line between truth and illusion. We’ll explore the characters, the atmosphere of Ashecliffe Hospital.

Shutter Island has one of those ideas that immediately grabs you, and there is a lot to admire in the way Lehane builds his mystery. But I’ll also discuss why, despite loving the core concept, I felt parts of the execution struggled to maintain the same level of believability.

Join me as I dive into one of the most famous psychological thrillers of the 2000s and ask whether the journey lives up to the destination.

Type: Review | Book: Shutter Island | Writer: Dennis Lehane

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m diving into Oscar Wilde’s classic novel The Picture of Dorian Gray — a story about youth, vanity, temptation, art, and the consequences of escaping the passage of time.

The concept of a portrait carrying the weight of a person’s sins is one of those ideas that feels almost impossible to improve on. It explores humanity’s fear of aging, our obsession with beauty, and the fragile line between pleasure and corruption.

However, while I admire what Wilde created, I’ll also discuss why this is a book that didn’t completely leave the mark on me that I expected.

Join me as I explore one of literature’s most famous stories and ask what makes a classic truly stand the test of time.

Type: Review | Book: The Picture of Dorian Gray | Writer: Oscar Wilde

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m reviewing Walter Tevis’ science fiction novel The Man Who Fell to Earth — a story about an alien visitor, humanity’s flaws, and the slow destruction of someone who simply wanted to help.

The Man Who Fell to Earth is a strange and unpredictable novel that moves between science fiction, character study, and a much deeper look at what it means to be human.

Join me as I explore one of Walter Tevis’ most fascinating stories and discuss why even someone with the power to change the world can still become lost.

Also, sorry about the voice sounding a bit nasally; I was on the other side of influenza while recording this.

Type: Review | Book: The Man Who Fell to Earth | Writer: Walter Tevis

Some books make you think. Some books make you laugh. And some books make you want to throw them across the room.

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m taking a break from traditional reviews to talk about the angriest I’ve ever been while reading a book.

Join me for a slightly unhinged, but entertaining discussion about the book that tested my patience the most.

Type: [General] | Book: Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames | Writer: Thích Nhất Hạnh

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m reviewing Edward Snowden’s memoir Permanent Record — the story of how a curious kid fascinated by computers became one of the most controversial whistleblowers in modern history.

I’ll talk about Snowden’s journey, the writing of the memoir, and the difficult questions surrounding privacy, security, loyalty, and the responsibility we have when we discover something we believe is wrong.

Permanent Record is not a traditional narrative with fictional characters, but it tells a very real story about power, conscience, and the consequences of challenging the systems around you.

Join me as I explore Snowden’s account of his life, his choices, and the impact his actions had on the world.

Type: Review | Book: Permanent Record | Writer: Edward Snowden

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m reviewing Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde — a story about identity, morality, and the darker parts of human nature.

I’ll talk about Stevenson’s writing, the famous relationship between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and why this short story has had such a lasting impact on literature and popular culture.

While this is a story that has inspired countless adaptations and interpretations, I’ll also discuss why revisiting this classic was a more challenging experience for me than I expected, and why some ideas become more interesting the deeper you dig into them.

Type: Review | Book: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde | Writer: Robert Louis Stevenson

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m reviewing Ernest Hemingway’s famous novella The Old Man and the Sea — a story about perseverance, dignity, aging, and one man’s struggle against nature.

I’ll talk about Hemingway’s writing style, the symbolism behind Santiago’s journey, and why this is a book that has inspired countless readers for decades.

However, while I can understand why this story resonates with so many people, I’ll also discuss why my own experience with it was very different. From the writing style to the deeper meanings behind the novella, this is one of those books where admiration and frustration ended up existing side by side.

Type: Review | Book: The Old Man and the Sea | Writer: Ernest Hemingway

In this episode of Paperback Friends, I’m taking a look at Neil Gaiman’s Coraline — a dark fantasy novella about curiosity, courage, and the dangers of getting everything you think you want.

A bored young girl discovers a mysterious door leading to a twisted version of her own world, where everything seems better… until the unsettling truth begins to reveal itself.

Coraline is a surprisingly strong child protagonist, and why I’m not entirely convinced this novella deserves all the “modern classic” praise it receives I does some things right.

A creepy little story with plenty to unpack — but does it live up to the hype?

Type: Review | Book: Coraline | Writer: Neil Gaiman

Burmese Days takes us to British-controlled Burma in the 1920s, where Orwell explores colonialism, racism, hypocrisy, and the moral compromises of people trapped inside an unjust system.

I’ll discuss Orwell’s early novel, its historical importance, and why I think it contains many of the themes that would later define his greatest works. But I’ll also talk about why this was one of the most difficult books I’ve read on the podcast, from its slow pacing to a writing style that simply did not work for me.

Does Orwell keep doing the impossible, or will this be the first Orwell book that does not hit? Find out, in another episode of Paperback Friends!

Type: Review | Book: Burmese Days | Writer: George Orwell