Table of (Mal)Contents

A little while ago, we had a scheduling conflict and Barnabas couldn't join us for a podcasting session (he had to work or something). But we couldn't have a snarkless episode, so we asked our good friend Rachel Shaver to join us on the show!

By now, most of us have probably failed at some New Years resolution. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you recover, and recommit. Listen in as we discuss how do you set reading goals; what’s the biggest shot we hear about fiction; are choose-your-own-adventure books the worst things ever written; what books have we thrown across the room in frustration; who is the worst person to read an audiobook?

Well, friends, we were planning on talking about how to set reading goals, but then something incredible happened: we had a special guest join us instead! Friend (and five-star reviewer) of the podcast Scarlet Hiltibidal stopped by the studio to chat with us about her new book, Afraid of All the Things.

If you ask group of readers questions about their favorite books, you’re in for a treat. We had a lot of fun when Dave asked Barnabas and Aaron a series of questions from Goodreads a few episodes ago, so by popular demand (i.e. we wanted to), we’re answering a few more on today’s show! We’re also answering some by our good listeners, too. (Thanks, Richard and Megan.)

Of all the people on this podcast, I (Aaron) am the least interested in sports. Hockey, baseball, football, curling, lacrosse, lawn darts… none of it. But in a recent effort to try a new genre, I downloaded a sports book. On this episode we talk about that experience and more.

Yeah, we know. There are a bajillion lists out there describing people’s top books of the year. But we’re not doing that… at least, not exactly. Instead, Barnabas, Dave and Aaron are sharing a few of their favorite reads from 2018 (with more than a little mocking and teasing along the way).

Sometimes there’s a book that it seems like everyone’s read… but you haven’t. Some of us are normal and take it in stride. But a few of us feel a deep sense of shame about having not read it. Has that shame ever led us to lie about reading a book? That’s what we’re talking about today.

How did each of us get hooked on reading? Was there a specific book that made us say, “Man, I love reading,” or was it just an ever-present reality?

You’ve heard us all talk about his books a lot. You’ve heard Barnabas admit that he has a semi-idolatrous man-crush on him. And a couple weeks back, it happened: Acclaimed novelist Leif Enger joined us on the show.

In the muck and mire of social media, there remains a beacon of hope—a lone site where we’re not going to read about politics or how everyone who disagrees with you is a fascist, misogynist, or a Canadian. That site, of course, is Goodreads, which Dave, Barnabas and I all love for obsessively tracking our reading over the course of each year.