Buddy Book Club

A listener recommended Columbus Day by Craig Alanson to the Buddies, because it follows around a joke-telling, cheeseburger-eating, lower-iq-having, protagonist. Figured we’d relate. They were absolutely right. The Buddies took on book #1 of the Expeditionary Force series and fit right in. They got to talking about chivalry, the duck test, and the negatives of having AI always around. So put on your  best down east accent, prepare ...

The Buddy Book Club podcast was extra intelligent this week. That’s because the Buddies sat down with former U.S. intelligence officer and award-winning author Brian J. Morra to discuss his new book, The Righteous Arrows. The second book in the Able Archers series takes place in war-torn Afghanistan in the 1980s and once again follows characters Kevin Cattani and Ivan Levchenko. The Buddies got to ask questions about Brian’s writin...

The Buddies headed up north for their most recent book, into the woods… the North Woods by Daniel Mason. This Pulitzer Prize finalist novel had the Buddies fighting for their lives as their 8th grade reading abilities were really put to the test. It had them chatting about their love of apples, if they believe in ghosts, and Buddy love letters. So, strap in for this one, get your dictionary out, and your trusty ax, as we chop it up...

The Buddies found themselves in an unfamiliar section of the book store this week, as they wandered into the the non-fiction arena. A fellow Buddy/listener recommended The Art Thief by Michael Finkel, and the Buddies had to oblige. The book follows the crazy and somehow true story of Stéphane Breitwieser & Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus, and their torrid stealing spree across Europe. The Buddies got to discussing the pros and cons o...

The Buddies are jumping deep into the science fiction world again this week reading, The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin (also a new series on Netflix)! Emphasis must be placed on the science part of this science fiction novel as the Buddies struggled to grasp everything that went on in this one. They had 99 problems and the Three-Body Problem was one of them… Anyway, they got to talking about the benefits of leaving your family in...

The Buddies re-enter the world of sword and sorcery with the first book in Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy: The Blade Itself. The Buddies were left wanting more time with the characters in this darker fantasy novel, so there is a good chance they’ll be reading book two in the future. The Blade Itself follows a number of malcontents and dissentients, much like the Buddies and it got them talking about varying topics like: Caleb ...

The Buddies are going back to school reading popular high school novel, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Things haven’t changed much since high school for the Buddies as they struggled to interpret the true meaning of the novel. The satirical anti-war book did provide the buddies some good talking points,  namely: how being negative is a good thing, how life is easier when you’re hung like a horse, and the benefits of being a ...

The Buddies take their 3rd and final crack at the ‘epic’ Shōgun by James Clavell. It’s been a long journey reading this 1,000+ page book, but if you followed along you’re now ready to dive into the new FX show. In their final installment the Buddies topics were very militaristic: ninjas, sacrificing pawns, pitched battles, and the dangers of pillow talk.  So join us for the last Banzai and our last time with our friends Toranaga, M...

The Buddies are back! After a bit of a hiatus (someone selfishly decided to travel), the Buddies are back at in covering books 2 & 3 of Shōgun (chapters 10-46). A lot to cover on this one as the Buddies got into the meat (or the rice and fish if you’re Japanese) of the James Clavell’s epic novel. The Buddies got to talking about scholarly things like: Karma, Religions, relieving yourself outside, and why Star Wars Episode 8 was...

The Buddies are still reading through Shōgun (it's 50+ hours so give us a break), so they decided to jump into a different epic story based on a book. On this weeks episode they tackle 2021 blockbuster, Dune. They are joined once again by their buddy Mikko (@BuddyHive) to talk things over. They got to talking about spices, drugs, Pearl Harbor, and why you can assume anyone from Sweden is a bad guy. So take a little break from ...

The Buddies start in on the epic historical fiction novel, Shōgun by James Clavell. They start with part 1 (prologue – chapter 9) on their 1,000+ page voyage. With a new tv show coming out on FX in February, the Buddies couldn’t put off D-mans favorite book any longer. The Buddies got to chatting about full sends, baths, and the importance of peeing on things to show dominance. We are even treated to a historical scene setting port...

The Buddies are (Matt) Crusing through books so far this year checking off Airborn by Kenneth Oppel from their list. Airborn had a little bit of everything, an alternate world, airships, and pirates. Combine those things with the fact that it is written for younger adults and it adds up to the perfect mix for the Buddies. It got them discussing the love for inanimate objects, big Zepplin, and the advantages of being stranded on a d...

The Buddies read their second Roald Dahl book in as many months, this time diving into fan favorite, Matilda. Dahl’s books have proven to be fun, quick reads, with the perfect reading level for the Buddies. To most, Matilda is the hero in this book, but the Buddies saw things differently. They discussed that, plus the intricacies of decorum, psychological warfare, and author rivalries. The Buddies were dishing up a full course of t...

The Buddies were honored to have Marschall Runge, M.D. on the podcast so they could chat about his debut medical thriller, Coded to Kill. Despite being severely outmatched in the IQ and credential department, the Buddies dug into Coded to Kill, discussing EHRs, what inspired the novel, and actors Dr. Runge would cast in the movie. They also were able to settle a few longstanding debates, namely: Texas vs Carolina BBQ, Jordan vs Leb...

The Buddies close out the year with a true book club book in Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Many said that the Buddies wouldn’t be able to comprehend this book, but many also said the Buddies would never get to 80 episodes, so it appears the haters were wrong (at least for the second one). The Buddies had some spicey topics this week chatting about being attracted to fish, sympathizing with terrorists, and animal deaths in sto...

The Buddies are still working hard at deciphering the Cloud Cuckoo Land book, so they decided with the upcoming holidays, they’d watch a wholesome, family oriented, Christmas movie: Bad Santa. The high-brow comedy got the Buddies talking about a lot of important holiday topics: like what makes something a Christmas movie, how young is too young to be drinking mimosas on Christmas morning, and if it’s appropriate to ‘punch-down’ and...

We’re getting into winter time, and there is nothing like cozying up by the fire with a good book. Especially if that book is by Vince Flynn. Vinny Flynn as we like to refer to him, is the Buddy Book Club's go to comfort read. This is our 3rd journey with lead character, Mitch Rapp, this time reading Separation of Power. The Buddies got to discussing some interesting topics this week including: Public speaking advice, governme...

The Buddies were back in the kids section, this time selecting a childhood favorite, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Who doesn’t like them some Roald Dahl? He’s like The Beatles of kids books, just hit after hit, after hit. The Buddies thoroughly enjoyed this one, not just because they found a book that matched their reading levels, but it also got them chatting about some important topics. Namely: The actual lengt...

The Buddies stayed up late and visited the Midnight Library by Matt Haig. The book was surprisingly philosophical and dealt with darker real-life subjects. So who better to chat about it than two immature barely literate buddies? The Buddies delved into the power of correcting people, the benefits of being in a coma, and once again explain the quantum mechanical theory of Schrödinger's cat perfectly. Choose a life where you li...