Buddy Book Club

The Buddies dove into Ashley Elston's 2024 thriller First Lie Wins, and let's just say they weren't thrilled. The Buddies found the book lacking in both thrills and twists, so they tried to provide some in this podcast. They got to talking about group chats, guardian angels, bathroom etiquette at parties, and a clever use of a zip lock bag. So join us (or maybe skip if you’re a fan of this book), as we tell no lies i...

The Buddies ventured into Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl, a lit-RPG novel. A lit-RPG novel, for those of you that don’t know, is basically a story told more like a video game RPG (we’re guessing, as this is our first time ever reading one). This book had the Buddies chatting about Cats, Nick Arcade, and the merits of Public Urination. Looking for a light-hearted, good time, with your pals Princess Donut and Carl? Well pick up...

The Buddies popped open a bottle of Appalachian moonshine and dove into Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. If you enjoy listening to a light-hearted comedic book podcast navigate a relentless parade of poverty, addiction, and child abuse while desperately trying to keep things light, this episode is for you! The Buddies got to discussing the benefits of rural living, stereotypes, and what Sarah McLachlan, Nas, and Kendrick Lam...

 On this episode, the Buddies jumped on their dragons and rode into the Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros; a Young adult book with heavy emphasis on the adult portion. If you like dragons, magic, and sexual tension that goes from zero to a hundred faster than Dom Toretto, then this book is for you. The Buddies got to talking about Basil Exposition, trauma counseling for students, and even played a game of 50 Shades or Fourth Wing. So, ...

The Buddies dive into All the Colors of the Dark  by Chris Whittaker. A story that manages to combine elements of Joe Dirt, Shawshank Redemption, Where the Crawdad Sing, and Forrest Gump into one surprisingly coherent narrative. Or more simply put, a tale about a pirate turning into a great painter. The book had the Buddies debating proper broccoli-roasting techniques, questioning why Ivy League acceptances are treated like communi...

The Buddies enter Britain and the world of King Arthur in The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. If you're sophisticated, you'll know this as an "Arthurian tale" or a retelling of the classic animated TV show King Arthur and the Knights of Justice. The book had the Buddies debating the merits of LSD-powered sorcery, comparing bar game courage to battlefield bravery, and wondering if maybe everyone in the Dark Ages...

The Buddies are back for their 5th year! They kick off 2025 with Noah Hawley's, Before the Fall. The Buddies got to chatting about what this book was really about. It is marketed as a mystery novel, but deep down it’s about: the importance of never answering questions, having ‘French toast hands’, and destroying a house in the name of art. So, grab your life vests, your philosophical questions, and your disdain for the media, ...

The Buddies unearth the horror section this week with Silvia Moreno-Garcia's, Mexican Gothic. The Buddies didn’t… love this one per say. They got to talking about the Get Out similarities, Eminem’s lyric connection, and “atmospheric writing”. So light yourself a cigarette, we needed a few whilst reading this one. And Join us as we discuss/attack Mexican Gothic. 

Intro/Book Report(0:00-3:03)
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The Buddies sadly close out their epic pilgrimage into the Harry Potter world with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2. In this episode, they discuss a wide range of topics, including fearing death, goblin-wizard relations, and casting couches. Plus, they tackle the age-old question: Is it okay to slow dance with your best friend’s girlfriend alone in your room? So, grab your popcorn and tissues as we watch the fi...

The Buddies close out J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series with book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was a sad episode for the Buddies as they finished the last chapter in their favorite book series, and got to talking about: Snape the “good guy”, Unforgivable Curses basically being magical jaywalking, and "kids" fairytales. Per usual, the Buddies got into some conspiracy theories that would make Xenophilius Lov...

The Buddies watch movie #6 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on this week’s episode. They get to chatting about: Hogwarts "three strikes policy" for attempted murder, how Ginny and Harry's on-screen chemistry makes a flobberworm look charismatic, and whether Dumbledore the worst wingman in wizarding history. So, grab yourself some Felix Felicis, don’t tie your shoes, because we’re all getting real lucky on thi...

The Buddies are now onto the sixth chapter of their magical journey with "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling. The Buddies explored vital wizarding matters including: the questionable ethics of love potions at a high school, the surprising benefits of writing in used textbooks, and whether Dumbledore needed better threat assessment training. The Buddies also tackled life's deeper questions, like w...

The Buddies weren’t too happy about the 5th Harry Potter movie, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", where apparently the longest book in the series got hit with a shrinking charm. The Buddies discussed many important topics including: Death Eaters' and the Lost tv show crossover, Filch's unexpected workout routine, and whether the movie's pacing deserves to be thrown through the mysterious veil. So, gra...

The Buddies plunged into the fifth installment of their magical marathon with "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling. The Buddies discussed many important topics including: becoming radicalized over owl injuries, the Weasley twins' mastery of guerrilla marketing, and whether Dumbledore's penchant for secrecy deserves a Howler. The Buddies also pondered life's important questions, like w...

 The Buddies fly into the fourth installment of their Harry Potter book/movie marathon with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The Buddies conjured up a spellbinding discussion covering: Dumbledore choking out students, Beauxbatons' Disney-on-ice entrance, and ranking the top movies so far. So put on your magical eye, start flicking your tongue, and join us for the Goblet of Fire movie discussion.

 
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The Buddies read what might be their favorite book ever written in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. They are joined by special guest, and Harry Potter super fan, Jimmy for the fourth installment of the greatest series to ever live. This is a long one and they touch on pretty much every topic you can imagine. From the true dark lord, to wizard gambling, to going out on top (that is to say dying on top). So hold on to your broom ...

The Buddies apparate into the third Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  They got to chatting about: Wizards and their fashion choices, romantic scenes, Hermione's workout regiment, and how Snape's redemption arc got lost somewhere between the book and the big screen. So practice your "Lumos Maxima" for those late-night reading sessions, and join the Buddies as they dissect a film that&a...

 The Buddies fly into book 3 of the Harry Potter series in, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. They're joined by special guest (with an appropriate name): Magic.  They discuss everything from taking a page out of Willy Wonka's 'how to deal with spoiled children' book, to the questionable penal system of Azkaban. They also get into important topics around: The raging hormones of pubescent wizards, chocolat...

The Buddies continue their marathon with movie #2, Harry Potter and the Chambers of Secrets, directed by Chris Columbus. The Buddies delved into a number of movie topics including: Mr. Weasley's book vs movie differences, the uncanny similarity between Quidditch and Star Wars space battles, and whether Moaning Myrtle's voice is more terrifying than the basilisk itself. So, grab your broken wand (and maybe consider turning...