Terrible Book Club

By Chris & Paris

What's Terrible Book Club about?

Join Chris & Paris every other Tuesday to discover if you really can judge a book by its hideous cover, bad title, or weird synopsis.

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Terrible Book Club episodes:

06.18.2024
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams *Patron's Choice* - Episode 194
Our patron Arrant has requested another non-fiction gem for their Patron's Choice episode this year. In How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life, Dilbert-creator Scott Adams weaves together the strands of...
06.04.2024
Mogworld by Yahtzee Croshaw *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 193
Our patron Of The Void (The Taco Eating Unicorn of the Hot Springs) requested yet another Yahtzee Croshaw book in the hopes that we would enjoy it more than Jam, their Patron's Choice from last year. In that sense, this episode...
05.21.2024
Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman *Patron's Choice* - Episode 192
It's time for the ultimate 1990s crossover - X-Men and Star Trek, united at last! We discuss our experience reading 1998's Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman, as per the request of our Patron Fred. For once, we actually want more romance between...
05.07.2024
VenCo by Cherie Dimaline *Patron's Choice* - Episode 191
Our Patron Robin requested that we read and discuss VenCo for today's episode. Although they did not request the Antiques Freaks to be here, we felt we needed their support (and knowledge of antique spoons). Thanks so much for your...
04.23.2024
Taurus Four by Rena Vale *Patron's Choice* - Episode 190
Our Patron BeastwiththeLeast requested that we read Rena Vale's Taurus Four from 1970. How could such a dusty, seemingly insignificant sci-fi paperback have roused so much ire? Get your spacesuits on for a journey through misogyny, weed fear-mongering, and communist hysteria...
04.09.2024
Hope Never Dies (An Obama Biden Mystery) by Andrew Shaffer *Patron's Choice* - Episode 189
Today's episode features a book that many folks have asked us to read, but it took our brave Patron Miles to finally force us to do it. At last, we've read the famous satirical Obama/Biden crime thriller from 2018 and,...
04.02.2024
Dear America: Down the Rabbit Hole - The Diary of Pringle Rose by Susan Campbell Bartoletti - Episode 188
Today's episode is Part 2 of our childhood nostalgia retrospective! We each chose a book for each other from a series we loved as kids. Paris remembered reading several books in the Dear America series, so Chris chose Down the...
03.26.2024
The Witchmaster's Key (The Hardy Boys #55) by Franklin W. Dixon - Episode 187
Today's episode is Part 1 of our childhood nostalgia retrospective! We each chose a book for each other from a series we loved as kids. Chris remembered reading all of The Hardy Boys series, so Paris chose The Witchmaster's Key for...
03.12.2024
Butch by Jay Rayn - Episode 186
We read Butch for today's episode at the request of listener Os who emailed us last year saying,"A while ago, I read a book that, while incredibly badly written, still somehow left me feeling for the protagonist, because all the other...
02.27.2024
How it Unfolds (Far Reaches Book 1) by James S.A. Corey - Episode 185
This time, we read How it Unfolds (Far Reaches Book 1) by James S.A. Corey, published by Amazon Original Stories in 2023. Chris really enjoyed The Expanse by Corey, so he was looking through other works by them and found...
02.13.2024
Valentine's Day for Baby Zeke: An Unofficial Minecraft Book by Dr. Block - Episode 184
Paris & Chris dive back into children's literature and find that Dr. Block may have written some of the healthiest relationship dynamics in all of the books we've reviewed so far for the show.
02.06.2024
Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part Two *Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast* - Episode 183
We had so much to say about Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire that we needed two episodes and an extra person to do it! If you haven't listened to Part One,...
01.30.2024
Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part One *Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast* - Episode 182
We had so much to say about Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire that we needed two episodes and an extra person to do it! We'll finish up our discussion in...
01.16.2024
Double Feature: Rathew Love Story: A Love Story by Argus G. + Curiosity: A Book for Curious Minds by Bookinsky* - Episode 181
We've got another Amazon Double Feature for you! Today, we tackle two more pieces of book-like debris that Chris found in the bowels of an Amazon search, the criteria of which has been lost to time: Rathew Love Story:...
01.02.2024
The Getting Even of Tommy Dodd by William Hope Hodgson *Special Guests: Antiques Freaks* - Episode 180
Ring in the new year with the Terrible Antique Book Freaks! The Antiques Freaks join us today to do a live read of The Getting Even of Tommy Dodd by William Hope Hodgson, a cross-dressing revenge fantasy on the high seas....
12.22.2023
Special Holiday Bonus: Less Terrible Book Club 2023 - Episode XX
It's winter holiday time again, so you all get a little gift from TBC! Please enjoy this special edition of Less Terrible Book Club. People often wonder what else we’re reading in a given year so we figured it was...
12.19.2023
You Are Becoming A Galactic Human by Virginia Essene and Sheldon Nidle - Episode 179
Ken of Antiques Freaks suggested that we read this and the time is nigh. Come along with us to Atlantis and Lemuria while we try to figure out why all of sentient life in the cosmos is organized like your...
12.05.2023
The Energy Conspiracy by David C Seman *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 178
For today's episode, we read The Energy Conspiracy by David C Seman, vanity published in 1981. This was requested by our patron beastwiththeleast, who had this to say: "Here's to another year of Terriblo's blessings and curses. I hereby submit...
11.21.2023
Jam by Yahtzee Croshaw *Patron's Choice* - Episode 177
We read Jam by Yahtzee Croshaw this week at the request of our Patron Of the Void (The Taco-Eating Unicorn). We bring you a gray goo apocalypse dyed red atop a bland satire about how lame both terminally online and terminally...
11.07.2023
Beginnings: A Christian Fantasy Short Story Collection (Daughters of Tamnarae) by M.H. Elrich - Episode 176
Beginnings: A Christian Fantasy Short Story Collection by M.H. Elrich was self-published earlier this year. Chris found it while on an Amazon Short Reads dive and we figured a Christian fantasy collection was worth a review since we haven't read...
10.24.2023
The Golden Basement by David Norman Lewis - Episode 175
This time we read The Golden Basement by David Norman Lewis, self-published in March of 2023. This was recommended by long-time listener, first-time caller Max who sent us a wonderful email recommending that we read this saying, "A few months...
10.10.2023
Campfire Stories of Western Canada by Barbara Smith - Episode 174
Get your flannels, ciders, and s'mores ready for this week's discussion of Campfire Stories of Western Canada by Barbara Smith! Paris’s friend Kristina recommended this for the show 6 years ago and we finally found a nice spot for it on...
09.26.2023
One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe by William M. Carpenter - Episode 173
One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe was written and self-published by William M. Carpenter in 1885. However, Chris found this on a homeschooler’s Twitter page where it was recommended for teaching children in 2023, so we...
09.12.2023
The 9th Colony by Colin Curtis - Episode 172
The 9th Colony by Colin Curtis was vanity published through AuthorHouse UK in February of 2023. We received an email from a podcast PR rep asking us to have the author on the show as a guest. We don't have...
08.29.2023
His Majesty’s Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 171
If you're interested in our take on a WWII popcorn spy thriller, it's here! It's hard for us to say no to reviewing a book when you mail it to us. We got a copy of His Majesty's Hope through the...
08.15.2023
Interview with the Devil (Part 1 - Victor’s Account) by Skylerr Darren - Episode 170
We've got another reddit find for you this week! Paris found this when perusing the latest "What's the worst book you've ever read?" post that surfaces a few times each year in various literary subreddits. In one response, redditor u/lydiardbell...
08.01.2023
Golden (The Golden Wolf Series Book 1) by Shannon Mayer *Patron's Choice* - Episode 169
This week, we discuss our experience reading Golden (The Golden Wolf Series Book 1) by Shannon Mayer at the request of our Patron Robin. Robin said, “It looks truly abysmal. I can't wait to hear your summary.” Golden is a shifter...
07.18.2023
The Man Without Qualities by Morris Berman - Episode 168
The Man Without Qualities by Morris Berman was recommended by listener (and author!) O.F. Cieri back in December of 2020. It was recommended to them by a friend who said this book "would change America" and that "we were all...
07.04.2023
Waldo Beyond the Walls: Adventures in the Galaxy by Bill Shook - Episode 167
Waldo Beyond the Walls: Adventures in the Galaxy by Bill Shook was recommended by an anonymous fan who has been a devoted listener to the podcast for 5 years. Thanks, anonymous friend! We very much appreciate your devotion. Our wonderful...
06.20.2023
Splattering Yet Endearing by Phillip Yang - Episode 166
Chris found this being discussed on various subreddits related to men writing female characters. The book was pulled from Amazon and other platforms shortly after the internet criticism began, but someone managed to save it on an archive.org page. Thanks...
06.06.2023
First, Impressions (Book #1 of Last Intentions) by SJ Saunders *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 165
Our Patron Julius the Nice Dragon requested today's book saying, “I want to nominate...“First Impressions” by SJ Saunders…It’s the first of three installments in a rather short trilogy I found floating on audible, but it never found an audience. Several years...
05.23.2023
Pears and Perils by Drew Hayes *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 164
Our Patron Lucek requested today's book saying, “Drew Hayes is becoming one of my favorite comedic authors. His NPCs and Fred the Vampire account series are very good. . . but we all have to start somewhere. So, I was...
05.09.2023
The Long Moonlight (Nightvale Book #1) by Razörfist *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 163
This week, we were asked to review The Long Moonlight by our Patron Arrant with nary another word. Such mystery - why was this recommended for the show? Why is this moonlight so very löng? Many thanks to Arrant for...
04.25.2023
Things in Jars by Jess Kid *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 162
Our Patron Donnie wrote to us to request Things in Jars saying that neither he nor his wife - nor anyone in their neighborhood book club - was able to finish it, find it enjoyable, or even determine exactly what...
04.11.2023
Sword Woman by Robert E. Howard *Patron's Choice* - Episode 161
This time, our Patron Austin requested that we read Sword Woman by legendary fantasy author Robert E. Howard. We learn that Chris doesn't know how to use a Table of Contents and Paris confesses her fear of reading Howard and potentially...
03.28.2023
Millennium University by J. Shuntal - Episode 160
This week's review of Millenium University is the product of another of Chris's Amazon Short Reads explorations. Join us this time for some true book sins, like writing out counts for arm stretches, accidentally sentient kitchens, and pacing whiplash!
03.14.2023
Dancing with Cats by Burton Silver & Heather Busch - Episode 159
Tanner's basement book pile produces a new treasure - but at a cost. We just wanted to play with our cats and now we're in another cult. Why does this keep happening to us?
02.28.2023
Afterlife Love by Niles MacFlouer - Episode 158
Listener and friend-of-the-show Charlotte donated Afterlife Love to the show and one look at the cover was enough to secure it a place on the schedule for 2023. This week, we take a trip back to Arizona in 1999 and then...
02.14.2023
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher - Episode 157
It’s Valentine’s Day so we thought, "Why not celebrate with multiple wives?" Friend-of-the-show Tris recommended Tarryn Fisher's The Wives to us after she read it in 2021 and wondered how the ending could've been quite so bad. We're back from our...
01.31.2023
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in His Adventure on Earth by William Kotzwinkle *Special Guest Mary Parker* - Episode 156
It's Paris's birthday today so Chris gave her the gift of skipping this episode! Instead, Mary Parker is here with Chris to discuss their experience reading this novelization of the popular 80s Spielberg film. Even though this book is supposed...
01.17.2023
The Adventure of the Creeping Man by Sherlock Holmes *Special Guests: Antiques Freaks* - Episode 155
Since the well of terrible Carnacki stories has run dry, the Antiques Freaks are here today with us to read a terrible Sherlock Holmes story! The Adventure of the Creeping Man is less of an adventure and more about young people...
01.03.2023
Pepper's Quest (Bella Sara #8) by Felicity Brown *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 154
Happy New Year, listeners! We're starting Season 8 with Pepper’s Quest by Felicity Brown at the request of our Patron Dee (that’s right, Dee of Antiques Freaks also has Patron rights and boy - do they know how to pick...
12.20.2022
The Labyrinth Of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 153
This time, we read The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers, translated by John Brownjohn. This was recommended to us by our patron Martin who recommended it because this book made fans of Moers question his actual existence -...
12.06.2022
Delirium by Lauren Oliver *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 152
We're back this week with another Patron's Choice episode for Patricia! She asked that we review Delirium by Lauren Oliver, a book where love is illegal and you have to get a lovebotomy around the age of 18. Thanks for this...
11.22.2022
Star Wars: Red Harvest by Joel Schreiber *Patron's Choice & Special Guest Adam* - Episode 151
Chris's brother Adam is here (gasp) instead of Paris to review another novel from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. This review comes at the request of our Patron Crimson Paladin, who said, "There's a book...
11.08.2022
Skullduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 150
In this week's Patron's Choice episode, we encounter yet another undead detective skeleton in Skullduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy. This was requested by our patron Of The Void (The Taco-Eating Unicorn). He was hoping that this book would be pleasant...
10.25.2022
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Daniel E. Bandmann *Patron's Choice & Special Guests: Antiques Freaks* - Episode 149
For our 2022 Halloween special, we bring you our radioplay of the 1888 play Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Daniel E. Bandmann with our very best podfriends, the Antiques Freaks! This episode was inspired by our Patron Miri who...
10.11.2022
Man, F*ck This House by Brian Asman *Patron's Choice* - Episode 148
The time is upon us for creepy Craftsmans! This week we discuss our experience reading Man, Fuck This House by Brian Asman and our feelings about haunted houses in general. Our Patron Will chose this for us to read this year...
09.27.2022
Ain’t a Hero: Season 1 by Bryan W. Schuder *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 147
It's another week and another Patron asked us to read their own work for the show! In this episode we discuss our experience reading Season 1 of Ain't a Hero, a web series by Bryan W. Schuder. It's an ongoing...
09.13.2022
Identity Switch: Becoming The Woman Who Gets What She Wants by April & Adrianna Mason - Episode 146
We take a brief reprieve this week from our slew of Patron requests to dive back into the deep, dark waters of Amazon Short Reads. Chris pulled Identity Switch: Becoming the Woman Who Gets What She Wants by April &...

What's Terrible Book Club about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Terrible Book Club episodes:

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams *Patron's Choice* - Episode 194

Mogworld by Yahtzee Croshaw *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 193

Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman *Patron's Choice* - Episode 192

VenCo by Cherie Dimaline *Patron's Choice* - Episode 191

Taurus Four by Rena Vale *Patron's Choice* - Episode 190

Hope Never Dies (An Obama Biden Mystery) by Andrew Shaffer *Patron's Choice* - Episode 189

Dear America: Down the Rabbit Hole - The Diary of Pringle Rose by Susan Campbell Bartoletti - Episode 188

The Witchmaster's Key (The Hardy Boys #55) by Franklin W. Dixon - Episode 187

Butch by Jay Rayn - Episode 186

How it Unfolds (Far Reaches Book 1) by James S.A. Corey - Episode 185

Valentine's Day for Baby Zeke: An Unofficial Minecraft Book by Dr. Block - Episode 184

Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part Two *Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast* - Episode 183

Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part One *Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast* - Episode 182

Double Feature: Rathew Love Story: A Love Story by Argus G. + Curiosity: A Book for Curious Minds by Bookinsky* - Episode 181

The Getting Even of Tommy Dodd by William Hope Hodgson *Special Guests: Antiques Freaks* - Episode 180

Special Holiday Bonus: Less Terrible Book Club 2023 - Episode XX

You Are Becoming A Galactic Human by Virginia Essene and Sheldon Nidle - Episode 179

The Energy Conspiracy by David C Seman *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 178

Jam by Yahtzee Croshaw *Patron's Choice* - Episode 177

Beginnings: A Christian Fantasy Short Story Collection (Daughters of Tamnarae) by M.H. Elrich - Episode 176

The Golden Basement by David Norman Lewis - Episode 175

Campfire Stories of Western Canada by Barbara Smith - Episode 174

One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe by William M. Carpenter - Episode 173

The 9th Colony by Colin Curtis - Episode 172

His Majesty’s Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 171

Interview with the Devil (Part 1 - Victor’s Account) by Skylerr Darren - Episode 170

Golden (The Golden Wolf Series Book 1) by Shannon Mayer *Patron's Choice* - Episode 169

The Man Without Qualities by Morris Berman - Episode 168

Waldo Beyond the Walls: Adventures in the Galaxy by Bill Shook - Episode 167

Splattering Yet Endearing by Phillip Yang - Episode 166

First, Impressions (Book #1 of Last Intentions) by SJ Saunders *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 165

Pears and Perils by Drew Hayes *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 164

The Long Moonlight (Nightvale Book #1) by Razörfist *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 163

Things in Jars by Jess Kid *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 162

Sword Woman by Robert E. Howard *Patron's Choice* - Episode 161

Millennium University by J. Shuntal - Episode 160

Dancing with Cats by Burton Silver & Heather Busch - Episode 159

Afterlife Love by Niles MacFlouer - Episode 158

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher - Episode 157

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in His Adventure on Earth by William Kotzwinkle *Special Guest Mary Parker* - Episode 156

The Adventure of the Creeping Man by Sherlock Holmes *Special Guests: Antiques Freaks* - Episode 155

Pepper's Quest (Bella Sara #8) by Felicity Brown *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 154

The Labyrinth Of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 153

Delirium by Lauren Oliver *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 152

Star Wars: Red Harvest by Joel Schreiber *Patron's Choice & Special Guest Adam* - Episode 151

Skullduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 150

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Daniel E. Bandmann *Patron's Choice & Special Guests: Antiques Freaks* - Episode 149

Man, F*ck This House by Brian Asman *Patron's Choice* - Episode 148

Ain’t a Hero: Season 1 by Bryan W. Schuder *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 147

Identity Switch: Becoming The Woman Who Gets What She Wants by April & Adrianna Mason - Episode 146

Other shows like Terrible Book Club:

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams Patron's Choice - Episode 194

Mogworld by Yahtzee Croshaw Patron’s Choice - Episode 193

Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman Patron's Choice - Episode 192

VenCo by Cherie Dimaline Patron's Choice - Episode 191

Taurus Four by Rena Vale Patron's Choice - Episode 190

Hope Never Dies (An Obama Biden Mystery) by Andrew Shaffer Patron's Choice - Episode 189

Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part Two Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast - Episode 183

Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Part One Special Guest The Good Witch of the Northeast - Episode 182

The Getting Even of Tommy Dodd by William Hope Hodgson Special Guests: Antiques Freaks - Episode 180

The Energy Conspiracy by David C Seman Patron’s Choice - Episode 178

Jam by Yahtzee Croshaw Patron's Choice - Episode 177

His Majesty’s Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal Patron’s Choice - Episode 171

Golden (The Golden Wolf Series Book 1) by Shannon Mayer Patron's Choice - Episode 169

First, Impressions (Book #1 of Last Intentions) by SJ Saunders Patron’s Choice - Episode 165

Pears and Perils by Drew Hayes Patron’s Choice - Episode 164

The Long Moonlight (Nightvale Book #1) by Razörfist Patron’s Choice - Episode 163

Things in Jars by Jess Kid Patron’s Choice - Episode 162

Sword Woman by Robert E. Howard Patron's Choice - Episode 161

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in His Adventure on Earth by William Kotzwinkle Special Guest Mary Parker - Episode 156

The Adventure of the Creeping Man by Sherlock Holmes Special Guests: Antiques Freaks - Episode 155

Pepper's Quest (Bella Sara #8) by Felicity Brown Patron’s Choice - Episode 154

The Labyrinth Of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers Patron’s Choice - Episode 153

Delirium by Lauren Oliver Patron’s Choice - Episode 152

Star Wars: Red Harvest by Joel Schreiber Patron's Choice & Special Guest Adam - Episode 151

Skullduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy Patron’s Choice - Episode 150

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Daniel E. Bandmann Patron's Choice & Special Guests: Antiques Freaks - Episode 149

Man, Fck This House by Brian Asman Patron's Choice* - Episode 148

Ain’t a Hero: Season 1 by Bryan W. Schuder Patron’s Choice - Episode 147