Terrible Book Club
Join Chris & Paris every other Tuesday to discover if you really can judge a book by its hideous cover, bad title, or weird synopsis. Support TBC on Patreon
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Points of Origin by John L. Orr *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 221
07/01/2025
Points of Origin by John L. Orr *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 221
Paris is on the case again this week! Our Patron Patrick requested that we read and review Points of Origin saying, “This book was written as a fictional story about a fictional investigator trying to catch a serial arsonist who was terrorizing California in the 1980s. The author was a[n] actual fire investigator at the time and this [was] based off of real events. Literally real events! Because it turns out the author John Orr, the arson investigator, was [convicted of being] the real life arsonist…This book was even used during his trial. In the book he had knowledge about the crimes which weren't available to him and [he] wouldn't have known. At one point in the book the author slipped up and switched from 3rd person to first person when talking about one of [the] victims." Thank you so much for supporting the show, Patrick! We hope you enjoy this very special true crime episode of TBC. We owe some additional thanks to the rest of our patrons whose funding allowed us easier access to extra research material for this episode. All hail the patrons! Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by joining our at the appropriate tier. Today’s episode includes our usual barnyard language in addition to arson, fires and their fetishization, infidelity, murder, sexual assault, and other sexual themes. Links & References:
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Just Call Me Orville: The Story Of Orville Redenbacher by Robert Topping *Patron's Choice* - Episode 220
06/17/2025
Just Call Me Orville: The Story Of Orville Redenbacher by Robert Topping *Patron's Choice* - Episode 220
Get out your corn kernels and hot oil, today, folks, 'cause we're goin' poppin'! Today's book comes to us from our longtime Patron Arrant who said, "I read [something] that might be fascinating for you guys rather than simple bad: "Just Call Me Orville" by Robert Topping, which is about the life and rise of Orville Redenbacher. Yes, the Popcorn guy. I quite enjoyed it and I was surprised by how fascinating and genuine he was as a person. And if anything, it fits into the weird food universe since he's so synonymous with the popcorn brand that people didn't even realize he was a real man and that was his real name." Chris tries to tell Paris all about Orville in this surprisingly laugh-a-minute episode about farming, business, and food marketing in the early-mid 20th century United States. Still, we must beware the Butter People as they are afoot once more. Legend has it that to banish them, you must chant, "Baby, is it anymore popcorn?" three times into the nearest popcorn machine or, failing that, the last pan you used to pop corns.
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Fanny Hill (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure) by John Cleland *Special Guest Mary Parker* - Episode 219
06/03/2025
Fanny Hill (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure) by John Cleland *Special Guest Mary Parker* - Episode 219
Chris was called away on a years-long shipping voyage by a conniving relative, so he can’t be with us today. In his stead, Mary returns! You may remember her from such episodes as this past October’s The Phantom of Manhattan, 2021's Die Hamletmachine, and our now beloved E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in His Adventure on Earth episode from 2023. We discuss our experience reading Fanny Hill by John Cleland, originally published in 1748 and since routinely banned as the first known published English-language erotica. Mary found a copy of this in a little free library years ago and since then, it has taken up permanent residence in her mind and she has talked about it off and on. I figured it’d be a fun one for the show since we, somehow, have yet to feature 18th century erotica on TBC. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes coerced/trafficked sex work, graphic sex, and sexual assaults as this book is mid-18th century pornography. Links & References:
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The You You Are: A Spiritual Biography of You by Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD (the book from the AppleTV Show Severance) - Episode 218
05/20/2025
The You You Are: A Spiritual Biography of You by Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD (the book from the AppleTV Show Severance) - Episode 218
We revert to our previous format this week with both Chris and Paris reviewing today's book. The You You Are: A Spiritual Biography of You was published in the last week of January of 2025 by Apple Books and immediately caught our attention since Paris has been obsessed with Severance since it debuted and Chris was recruited into the madness this year. We thought it would be fun to check out a prop from a TV show that had become a real book. Listen as we do Ricken's self-help exercises and become severed in real-time! If you are trying to keep yourself completely pure before watching Severance, there are some mild Severance spoilers from early in Season 1 between 1:12:00 - 1:15:45 Links & References
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Who Killed the Fonz? By James Boice *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 217
05/06/2025
Who Killed the Fonz? By James Boice *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 217
This week, Paris turns up the Perturbator records, dons some aviators and a trenchcoat, and heads out into the rainy nights of 1980s Milwaukee to help our Patron Fred. Fred wrote to us saying, “...the sheer notion of a murder mystery with Happy Days characters that is apparently officially sanctioned by whoever owns the rights is enough to give me pause. I can’t even find any information about why th[is] book was made and I just end up asking myself, “Who is this for?” because while I don’t doubt that Happy Days still has a large fan base, I don’t think many people would want to read a book about how one of the best characters on the show gets murdered.” We hope you enjoy this episode, Fred! Thank you so much for supporting TBC. Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by joining our at the appropriate tier. Today’s episode includes our usual barnyard language in addition to infidelity, kidnapping, murder, and one brief moment of drug use. Additional Links:
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In The Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 216
04/22/2025
In The Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 216
Chris has to travel to another reality again today - this time, it's a Grecian fantasy world that isn't actually Greek! Speaking of Greece, thank you to The Metal Classicist for pronunciation help on today's episode. Our Patron Austin sent Chris on this voyage through the world of In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland for his Patron's Choice this year saying this was, "...a book about a girlfailure who ends up step-cousins to the royal family, all of which become inexplicably interested in either becoming her friend, fucking her, or both. Some highlights includ[e] a first chapter that involves fucking on top of a two story gazeebo, an island of vaguely celtic wizards who all have anime hair and eyes, a love interest who does that scene with JOI and the prostitute in Blade Runner 2049, and distracting your ghost bodyguard by almost flashing your tits at him." We hope you enjoy the episode, Austin! Thank you for your longtime support of TBC. Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by joining our at the appropriate tier. Today’s episode includes our usual barnyard language in addition to discussion or mention of blood, corpses, death/dying, necromancy, and sex.
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A Live Reading of The Horse of the Invisible from Carnacki, the Ghost Finder by William Hope Hodgson *Special Guests D & Ken of Antiques Freaks* - Episode 215
04/08/2025
A Live Reading of The Horse of the Invisible from Carnacki, the Ghost Finder by William Hope Hodgson *Special Guests D & Ken of Antiques Freaks* - Episode 215
Nearly 5 years ago to the day, we reviewed The Horse of the Invisible with our very best podfriends the . Years later, we realized that we had never actually read the story aloud as we had promised you, as we've done with all the other Carnacki stories. Once again, we were wrong - there is yet one more 'nack to Carn, so the Terrible Antique Book Freaks assembled anew! Dust off your and enjoy a second round of the gobble-neighing contest, all set to the impeccable scoring and SFX talents of Chris (). If you haven't had enough invisible horse after you listen to this episode, you can also hear our review of the story from April of 2020 in
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The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson - Episode 214
03/25/2025
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson - Episode 214
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson has been floating around in the American pop cultural stew for the last 22 years. Paris had always been interested in reading it, so when it happened to be in a pile of books some friends were giving away, she heeded the call of our dark lord and tossed it on the schedule for 2025. Get on your fancy new bicycles, affix a lightbulb to the front, grab a can of PBR, and somehow also balance a bowl of Shredded Wheat while you're at it for a wild journey from the 1880s through the early 20th century. Paris leads us through Larson's dual accounts of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and its Director of Work, Daniel Hudson Burnham, alongside the Chicago years of "America's first serial killer", H.H. Holmes (Herman Webster Mudgett). If you think you know the Holmes story because you already read this book or saw some TV dramatization - you don't. Together, we'll discover that misinformation and disinformation have suffused this story for 120 years (and counting)! Thanks to Ken from the Antiques Freaks for helping me down the research rabbit hole & to Adam Selzer for a stellar book, without which much of our disappointment in and suspicions of Larson's tale would not have been justified and relieved. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes swindling/fraud, infidelity, sexism, racism, and murder. Links & References:
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Black Moon Rising by Frankie Rose (Callie Hart) *Patron's Choice* - Episode 213
03/11/2025
Black Moon Rising by Frankie Rose (Callie Hart) *Patron's Choice* - Episode 213
Chris had to go to space again this week. This time, he takes us to a galaxy kinda far away and sort of a while ago (or maybe now? or in the future?) because our Patron Miles requested Black Moon Rising for his Patron's Choice this year. Miles wrote to us saying, "Since I requested two books in a row that were both deeply political, I figured I'd instead give you guys something lighter: published Star Wars fanfiction. The book I'm referring to is Black Moon Rising by Frankie Rose and Callie Hart...to give you an idea of how egregious it is, it starts with a prologue that feels designed to be turned into a Star Wars text crawl. It then jumps directly to [the protagonist] who[se] name is literally Reyza, having a graphic sex dream involving the main antagonist, Jass Baylar." We hope you enjoy the episode, Miles! Thank you for your support for TBC throughout the vast spacetime continuum. Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by joining our at the appropriate tier. Today’s episode includes our usual barnyard language plus some sexual content, Star Wars violence, and weaponry. Links & References: Other commentary on this book:
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Rabid Heart by Jeremy Wagner - Episode 212
02/25/2025
Rabid Heart by Jeremy Wagner - Episode 212
Somehow we ended up with another zombie romance around Valentine’s Day for the second year in a row. Paris chose Rabid Heart for this season after her partner randomly turned to her one day last year and said, “Hey did you realize Jeremy Wagner from Broken Hope is an author?” This piqued her interest since she fondly remembers being at Broken Hope’s comeback show at Maryland Death Fest 13 years ago. It’s not usually her type of death metal, but something about that show was extra fun and every now and then when she's feeling ignorant and wants some dumb slammy shit, she may put on Grotesque Blessings. When reading for TBC that’s kind of peak “I am feeling dumb and also full of rage”, so she listened to a lot of Broken Hope while reading this. Wagner sure has a theme and he’s sticking to it! In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes gore, guns, kidnapping, sexual assault, general violence, weapons, and - of course - zombies. Have you listened to a brutal slam record recently? It’s that. Links & References: The publisher's website: Jeremy Wagner's band:
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Lunar Justice by Charles L. Harness *Patron's Choice* - Episode 211
02/11/2025
Lunar Justice by Charles L. Harness *Patron's Choice* - Episode 211
Our Patron Beastwiththeleast sent us Lunar Justice through the mail, presumably straight from his colony on the moon. This may be our favorite way of receiving Patron requests. Join us today for a very 1990s version of the future, including judicial malfeasance, musical patents, jurisdictional insanity, and guillotines - in space! We hope you enjoy the episode, Beastwiththeleast. Thank you for your steadfast support (and for sending us this book)! Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by joining our at the appropriate tier. Today’s episode just includes our usual barnyard language. Links & References: Turning Jupiter into a Red Dwarf/Second Star: Podcast Episode Recommendation: .
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Elsie's Girlhood (Elsie Dinsmore #3) by Martha Finley - Episode 210
01/28/2025
Elsie's Girlhood (Elsie Dinsmore #3) by Martha Finley - Episode 210
Paris tackles today's selection, which was suggested by listener Deborah, self-proclaimed Unrepentant Sinner! She wrote in to us last summer saying, "Would you consider an episode on a book popular in another era but one that is actually currently being sold to indoctrinate the home school religious zealots? Elsie Dinsmore was popular after the Civil War. I first read a copy that was my mother’s or grandmother’s. Elsie is this smarmy goody-goody who is despised by her daddy and the aunt, uncle, and cousins she lives with for being such a devout Christian...I have abhorred this book since I first read it but I so enjoy tearing it apart. The fact that people still buy it is so disturbing!” We had never heard of this series before so we were excited to add it to the schedule as it was a different terrible flavor for us - Victorian Christian child lit. Thanks so much, Deborah! We hope you enjoy the episode. Musings and derailments in this episode include: In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of ableism, grooming, parental abuse, racism, slavery, and Victorian-flavored Christianity. Mmm - lead!
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Maradonia and the Guardians of the Portal by Sofia Nova/Gloria Tesch - Episode 209
01/14/2025
Maradonia and the Guardians of the Portal by Sofia Nova/Gloria Tesch - Episode 209
Happy (?) new year, listeners. We discuss Chris's journey through the latest Maradonia book that reboots the series entirely, proving that we are all caught in this loop together within the worst timeline. Although not strictly necessary, we recommend listening to the other Maradonia episodes in the following order: (2015) (2019) (2019) (2020) (2020) Today’s episode just includes our usual barnyard language.
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Luna's Edge by Roxana Macias - Episode 208
12/30/2024
Luna's Edge by Roxana Macias - Episode 208
It's the final episode of Season 9! Luna's Edge was self-published in June of 2024 by author Roxana Macias. Just like our last episode, this author contacted us and asked us to read their book. While we normally don't take authors up on these offers, the book was described as a bilingual sci-fi novel which sounded like a new and potentially fun concept for us. While we thought the bilingual aspect was squandered and this was more draft than final manuscript, this concept could work with a more narrow focus, deeper emotional nuance, and a second editor. Thanks to Roxana for giving us a free review copy of the book (and for welcoming a potential skewering)! If you've got young ones at home, perhaps check out her newest bilingual children's book, Musings and derailments in this episode include: Terrifying university degrees, Lu Elizondo & disclosure, and . Happy New Year, folks! May 2025 be full of great books and good times. For us, 2025 will mean a decade of terrible books and a new format for the show as previewed in our In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of aliens, guns, action-movie level violence, eugenics, and miscarriage.
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The Good King by George WB Scott - Episode 207
12/17/2024
The Good King by George WB Scott - Episode 207
Hail and well met, book friends! We're feeling pretty silly as we close in on the final episodes of Season 9. We travel back to 10th century Bohemia to learn the story behind the popular Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas". Join us for a very biblically-styled tale that taught us some things but failed to get us invested in the characters. The author emailed us about his book and, usually when we get emails from authors or PR reps, it's not even worth consideration - but a medieval historical thriller? about a Christmas carol? In this century at this point in history? At this time of year? It only made sense to pop it onto the schedule for December. Thanks to George himself for furnishing us with a free review copy of the book (and being willing to be featured on TBC with all that may entail)! Musings and derailments include: Duke Abe Simpsovclav of Springfieldia, heavy metal months, Breastfeeding education, Paris’s Babadook terrors, and we struggle to poorly sing another song from the book (the titular carol)! In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of parental abuse, sexual assault, and murder.
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The Wife App by Carolyn Mackler - Episode 206
12/03/2024
The Wife App by Carolyn Mackler - Episode 206
Chris found The Wife App by Carolyn Mackler out in the wild at a bookstore in NH when he was on a trip earlier this year. Considering apps themselves are often terrible, a book about an app seemed like a good candidate for the show. Musings and derailments include: Chris gets really upset about the recurring stereotype of shitty musician boyfriends/husbands and we wonder about several things in the text such as British chins, sending cookies in Ubers, the power of polka dots, and babies smelling like fresh bread. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of infidelity, closeting, and the horrors of capitalism in app form.
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Verity by Colleen Hoover - Episode 205
11/19/2024
Verity by Colleen Hoover - Episode 205
This week we're discussing our experience reading Verity by Colleen Hoover. We selected this for today’s episode because it has appeared fairly often in reddit posts regarding bad books. Plus, we like to try to touch on current, popular authors when we can amidst the sea of deep weird terrible books we cover throughout the year. Off-topic musings and derailments include: Paris Uses Maps About It™, the truth of our Dark Lord Mr. Peanut, and we struggle to solve this GRE murder problem. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of ableism and disability prejudice, abortion, child abuse, child death, murder, parental neglect, and sex.
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Special Bonus: Rock Band Romance Novel Guessing Game *Special Guest The Mothman* - Episode XXXX
11/05/2024
Special Bonus: Rock Band Romance Novel Guessing Game *Special Guest The Mothman* - Episode XXXX
We've released this as an alternate episode if today's regular episode is a bit too much for you on this particular day. Please enjoy the audio from a Patron-only video special from 2021 where Paris and The Mothman (Antiques Freaks Ken) play a guessing game that Chris created. You can find if you'd like to see us in all of our three-years-ago-physical-glory. We know you love the games we come up with sometimes here at TBC, so Chris has challenged Team MothParis to a game where they must choose which bands are real or from rock band romance novels and which musician names Chris made up. Musings and derailments include: We learn that Terriblo's 2nd in command is The Mothman, Paris realizes she's been lied to by the anti-cryptid media, we sail away on the Nick Crandle Ferry, and are reminded of the horrors of the English language.
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The Way of the Shadow Wolves: The Deep State and the Hijacking of America by Steven Seagal & Tom Morrissey *Patrons Choice* - Episode 204
11/05/2024
The Way of the Shadow Wolves: The Deep State and the Hijacking of America by Steven Seagal & Tom Morrissey *Patrons Choice* - Episode 204
*The US general election is TODAY! Get out there and vote in person if you haven’t yet voted early or by mail. Head to for all the information you need to help you cast your ballot.* We've released an alternate episode for you if today's regular episode is a bit too much to listen to on this particular day. Please enjoy where Paris and The Mothman (Antiques Freaks Ken) play a romance novel guessing game that Chris created. You can find the audio-only version in our regular feed in your podcast app. Musings and derailments in this episode include: jihadi dentists, Mt. Rushmore vs. the Grand Canyon, 100% Grade A Real Shadow Wolves, Shadow Dick Wolf, Degrees of Bubbas, how many men could a lawman law if a lawman could law men? Referenced in this episode: Behind the Bastards did 3 whole episodes on Steven Seagal, one of which is also a review of this book, so if you really want to get pumped full of more 90s action hero history, you can check those out: In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode discusses or mentions: right-wing talking points (e.g. open borders/immigration, drug cartel violence, etc.), law enforcement worship, some magical native vibes, and a guest appearance from the R-slur.
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What the Spell? (Life’s a Witch #1) by Brittany Geragotelis - Episode 203
10/22/2024
What the Spell? (Life’s a Witch #1) by Brittany Geragotelis - Episode 203
This was recommended eons ago in the age of 2021 by Twitter user KirliaHookah who described this book as, “Hey what if we crossed Sabrina the Teenage Witch with Mean Girls poorly?" which turned out to be perfectly accurate. Musings and derailments in this episode include: Chris's DeathNote powers, George Michael Clooney, the Dance of Tables, the limits of school guidance counselors, Chris's criminal past, and we play a magic word guessing game. In addition to our barnyard langauge, today's episode includes discussion or mention of bullying.
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The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth *Special Guest Mary Parker* - Episode 202
10/08/2024
The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth *Special Guest Mary Parker* - Episode 202
Happy Octoberween, dear listeners! In honor of the season, we bring you some spook-adjacent books for October's episodes. Today, our favorite guest Mary Parker is back with the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera musical - in book form! Although it was also turned into a musical, but remember this book is not the sequel to the original Phantom of the Opera book by Gaston Leroux...yeah. Musings and derailments in this episode include: the morning routine underneath the Opera Populaire, Paris transforms into Girl Boss Mammon, Mary becomes a Valley Girl Priest, and Chris plays God. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode includes discussion or mention of ableism, accidents leading to physical disfigurement, guns, murder, and suicide.
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Second, Ambitions (Book #2 of Last Intentions) by SJ Saunders *Patron's Choice* - Episode 201
09/24/2024
Second, Ambitions (Book #2 of Last Intentions) by SJ Saunders *Patron's Choice* - Episode 201
Julius the Nice Dragon offered us a true Patron's Choice: Return to The Dunks or choose a new path. We still had plenty of iced coffees to trade, so we made the only choice we could as Bostonians. We rarely recommend prerequisites for episodes, but we think you should check out our review of the first book in this series before listening to today's episode because a) it's a good episode and b) we'll address elements of the series in that episode that we skipped today: Musings and derailments in this episode include: Boston, the MBTA, Mass Metal Gear Solid, store brand names, and a brief glimpse into Fourth Wing horrors (this was recorded much earlier this year and was perhaps where Chris got his idea to surprise Paris on the 200th episode). *Local primaries and the general election are both coming up fast! Head to to check your voter registration, register to vote, preview your next ballot, or request a mail-in or absentee ballot.* Referenced in this episode: On the post-apocalyptic sci-fi glory of the Mad Max franchise Another fantastic Dan Olson piece on a book publishing MLM/pyramid scheme/scam In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode discusses body horror, action-movie violence, suicide, guns/weapons, and medical experimentation like cloning, mind control, and genetic alteration.
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Fourth Wing Storytime & Terriblo's Choice Awards - Episode 200 Livestream Spectacular
09/10/2024
Fourth Wing Storytime & Terriblo's Choice Awards - Episode 200 Livestream Spectacular
Chris read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros on his own and retold the plot to Paris on this very special Twitch livestream to celebrate 200 episodes of Terrible Book Club. Afterwards, we bestow honors on the last 100 books over 11 categories in the 2nd edition of Terriblo's Choice Awards. Watch the video version of this episode for free on ! *The general election is coming up fast! Head to to check your voter registration, register to vote, preview your next ballot, or request a mail-in or absentee ballot.* (1:58:47) The 2nd Quadrennial Terriblo's Choice Awards - Episodes 101-199: Biggest Surprise: The Golden Basement Most Unholy Abomination: Splattering Yet Endearing Most Toxic Message: The 1776 Report The ExcavatingLizard My Immortal Award for Worst Editing/or Proofreading: Tied! Interview with the Devil (Part I - Victor's Account) Millenium University Most Likely to Become an Off-Broadway Musical: Drag Queen Dino Fighters Most Disappointing Character Arc: Things in Jars Mary Sue Award: The Man Without Qualities Pepe LePew Needless Romance Award: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in His Adventure on Earth James Randi Award for Worst Non-Fiction General: Feeding the Dragon Health & Woo-Woo Wellness: Genesis Diet Best Romance: in a Drama: Valentine's Day For Baby Zeke in a Comedy: The Hog Worst Book from Ep. 101-199: Reaper's Creek by Onision In addition to our usual barnyard language, this episode includes references to sex, murder, violence, weapons, and poisoning.
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Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree *Patron's Choice* - Episode 199
08/27/2024
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree *Patron's Choice* - Episode 199
We finally got around to checking out this 2023 BookTok phenomenon thanks to our Patron Austin, who described Legends & Lattes as, "a cozy and wholesome story about overcoming your past and settling down to...side with the mob threatening to burn down your establishment.” Despite the nerdy theme, the focus today is more on the cozy than the fantastical. Our poisoned expectations are completely subverted and we've rarely been so delighted. In addition to our usual barnyard language, we warn you that this discussion will make you think about how you could really go for one of those right now. Musings and derailments in this episode include: Dunkin’ Orcnuts, Squirrel alarms, language failures, Fren-talian gnomes, the extended Mr. Rat family, and our jubilance over not having to read pornography becomes mildly pornographic in our delirium. *Local primaries and the general election are both coming up fast! Head to to check your voter registration, register to vote, preview your next ballot, or request a mail-in or absentee ballot.*
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Less Terrible Book Club 2024 - Episode 198
08/13/2024
Less Terrible Book Club 2024 - Episode 198
This time, we read stuff NOT for TBC, listened to music, watched TV and movies, and played video games! After a failed guest episode, we had to fill the schedule so we decided to do another recap of the non-TBC books, music, and video games we've enjoyed so far this year like we did at the end of last year. If this is your first time listening to this show, maybe choose another episode because today we’re talking about our personal media consumption so far in 2024, so you’ll (mostly) hear about things we actually liked for once. Musings and derailments in this episode include: our love for the Hendrick’s seasonal collection and the Polar Summer Seasonal 2024 flavor line-up; can sexy clowns enter into the Clown Registry? the best and only use for AI; heavy metal doctors; sneaking Andrew Tate into trad metal playlists on YouTube; and Skibidi Toilet Trees. *Local primaries and the general election are both coming up fast! Head to to check your voter registration, register to vote, preview your next ballot, or request a mail-in or absentee ballot.* Books (3:35): & from The Mistress of the Art of Death series by Ariana Franklin Music (48:40): Heavy Music: ” Electronic, Pop, & Other: Obscurest Vinyl - “” & “” Movies/TV (1:29:40): House of the Dragon, Delicious in Dungeon, Fallout, The Boys, Great Pottery Throwdown, The Acolyte, Fargo, Blue Eye Samurai, Dune Part Two, Mad Max: Furiosa, Late Night with the Devil Video Games (1:59:50): Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC,
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Cultural Passport: Book 1 by Shivangi Sharma - Episode 197
07/30/2024
Cultural Passport: Book 1 by Shivangi Sharma - Episode 197
A fateful tweet last summer by the author themselves brought this book into our terrible orbit. At first glance, it looked like a short read by someone with expertise in the field they were writing about, so we figured why not? We've never done a travel book on the show! Little did we know: our passports were about to be stamped for a journey on a AI-fueled train to capitalist hell. Today's episode includes our usual barnyard language and some references to colonialism and sex. Please Note: Chris accidentally mispronounced Cristiano Rinaldo's first name as Christian throughout the entire episode. Whoops!
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Home Grown Worries by Alex Donahue - Episode 196
07/16/2024
Home Grown Worries by Alex Donahue - Episode 196
This week we discuss Home Grown Worries by Alex Donahue. We reviewed Alex’s other book, Leon & Chris, back in Episode 114 in 2022; he’s hoping that this is an improvement on that one as this is its spiritual successor. In turn, this episode is our spiritual successor to Episode 114. Once again, Donahue's book has great art for kids and it seems like he actually took some of our advice from last time; gone are nearly all of the mechanical writing errors and tedium! While we didn't feel the core story was very captivating, we're impressed with Donahue's masochism. Never have we had an author ask us to review their work - and go through with it - twice. If anything, this is a sign that he has the fortitude to keep refining his work and succeed as an author. Musings and derailments in this episode include: the bounds of furry art, Castlevania, and singing the fake song in the book. In addition to our usual barnyard language, today’s episode discusses violence and bullying between adolescents.
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Mazes And Monsters by Rona Jaffe *Patrons Choice* - Episode 195
07/02/2024
Mazes And Monsters by Rona Jaffe *Patrons Choice* - Episode 195
You may not think you know Mazes & Monsters by Rona Jaffe, but you certainly know its 1982 movie adaptation starring Tom Hanks in his first leading role (which you can watch along with us on ). We wondered if anyone would ever request this book and that day has finally come thanks to our patron Lucek. Thanks for all of your support, Lucek (and for being patient with us when we had to ask you for a second and third choice this year due to some unfortunately timed crossover in our patron requests)! Today's episode is all about D&D and LARPing, plus we wonder about what makes a sexy mouth, rules in 70s dorms, who exactly is named 'Hall', and why we need to know this much about everyone's parents. Despite some real truths and emotional realism in some respects, this story is far too steeped in Satanic Panic nonsense. It's also hard to forget that this book trafficked in sensationalism and profitted off of 's brief disappearance in 1979 and his eventual tragic death in 1980. Musings and derailments in this episode include: and the potency of , and our personal music and video game updates: Play Listen to Blood for the King and Divine Battle from Listen to Down in the Hollow from Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by .
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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
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 memoir and self-help and fills any extra space in this book basket with glue made of lies (seriously, he opens the book by telling you not to trust him) and a stunning lack of self-awareness. As always, capitalism is the ever-present ghoul, Paris is pissed at Jesus (moreso than usual), and together we learn that the real way to fail at everything is, perhaps, by going on unabashed racist tirades and doubling down rather than engaging in any self-reflection. We hope you enjoy the episode, Arrant, and thank you for your longtime, faithful support of the show! Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by .
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Mogworld by Yahtzee Croshaw *Patron’s Choice* - Episode 193
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 is a spiritual successor to Episode 177 where we return to Yahtzeeworld, but feel like we landed on a different continent this time. We're steeped in video game/MMORPG and fantasy tropes today, Chris is ashamed of his newfound addiction to Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Paris is alarmed that she is perhaps too good at voicing a sleazy character. We hope you enjoy the episode, Mr. Taco Eating Unicorn of the Void and the Hot Springs, and thank you so much for your unrelenting support of the show! Remember that if you, too, would like to have us read and review a book of your choice on the show, you can gain that power by . Good book alert: This is your semi-annual reminder that if you haven't read the Mistress of the Art of Death book quintet by Arianna Franklin, get to it! We've mentioned the series many times but have both finally dived back in to finish out the other 4 books recently and can't help but remind ya'll to give it a try.
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