The three of us read a lot of books, but even as guys who really like to read, there are too many books that are just way too long. Maybe you feel the same way. So today, we're back in the studio in Nashville to talk about some of our favorite books that are quick reads. Listen in as we discuss:

• How do we define "short" books?
• Are celebrity memoirs actually any good?
• How do we really feel about the books we are "encouraged" to read by our bosses?
• What is the best time of year to be in Nashville?
• Who will take the title of Most-Referenced Author from Leif Enger?
• Who is the most self-promo-y podcaster out there?
• Should we call Conan O'Brien's podcast hotline and invite him on our show?

• The Secret Diary of Hendrick Groen, 83 1/4 Years Old

All of us live around Nashville, but sometimes it takes traveling to Indianapolis to make magic happen. That's what happens on this episode of Table of (mal)Contents, as Russ Ramsey joins us for a great chat about the art of writing, and that time he wrote a letter to Annie Dillard. Listen in as we discuss:

• The magical time in the mid-90s when all the baseball players were juicing
• Russ' book being endorsed by Leif Enger
• Are we doing readers a disservice by making them easier to read?
• The secret to having a bestselling book among evangelicals
• Why Christians need to be grounded in the rules of narrative in order to understand the Bible
• The social contract between readers and writers
• The origin of the phrase "the world is her oyster"
• Where to start reading Annie Dillard

A few of the books we discussed in this episode:

And, as always, thanks to Lagares Roasters for partnering with us to make the Table of (mal)Contents blend. Pick up a bag (or 12) today.

It's a podcast crossover! Ronnie Martin of The Happy Rant joins us in-studio in exotic Indianapolis to talk nostalgia, Christmas and romance novels, and trying to read theology.

And by "in-studio" I mean "in the hallway outside the exhibit hall at TGC."

Listen in as we discuss:

• Why Ronnie enjoys romance and Christmas novels
• What's really nice about writing for kids
• If the name "Joseph" is cult-y
• What are the boundaries of Ronnie's Christmas season?
• Is there a mindlessness to Christian living and theology books?
• Can you reach a saturation point with a type of book?
• Why Ronnie is anti-self-publishing

A few of the books we shared this time around:

And, as always, thanks to Lagares Roasters for partnering with us to make the Table of (mal)Contents blend. Pick up a bag (or 12) today.

A couple weeks' back, we travelled to exotic downtown Indianapolis for TGC19. With so many book loving people in one place at the same time, we took the show on the road to chat with a few friends. On this episode, we're joined by Karen Swallow Prior to talk books and British literature, theology, pets, and few other things too. Listen in as we discuss:

• Will Dave's cats join him in the new creation?
• How does reading help us become virtuous?
• What challenges do the current (and forthcoming) generations face when it comes to reading?
• Why is reading classic works so difficult?
• Does anyone actually read Moby Dick?
• Which is more virtuous: using the cliff notes or watching the movie adaptation of a book?
• What do we really wish people understood about Jane Austen's books?

A few of the books we mentioned in this episode:

The Internet taught us something new: We're missing out on some huge opportunities with online book clubs, courses, and whatnot. So we're getting our thinking caps on as we workshop some ideas for the whatnot, and bring Dave's daughter along for the ride.

Listen in as we discuss:

• How does someone become an expert in anything?
• What online course should we each create?
• What books will you pay to be a part of online reading group to read with us?
• What books would be part of a heresy 101-type book club?
• How do you pronounce "against"?

And just for fun, we're going to start a new challenge: We're going to read a Nicholas Sparks book together—The Notebook—and we want you to join us! Hit us up on Twitter at @malcontentspod if you're in.

And special thanks to Lagares Roasters for partnering with us to make the new Table of (mal)Contents blend! Pick up a bag (or 12) today.

Harry S. Truman famously said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” (I mean, unless he didn’t, of course. It’s hard to find anything confirming it for certain.) But what if they’re not? On this episode, we’re joined by our friend, co-worker and fellow Canadian Daniel Im to dig into the truth behind this leadership cliché and try to help leaders become better readers. Listen in as we discuss: