Books You Should Read
By Simply Syndicated
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Podcast Description
Book reviews from the listeners of Simply Syndicated. Please send your book review to booksyoushouldread@simplysyndicated.com.
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BYSR 70 – The Christmas Moon | A very special guest visits the studio with a Christmas treat: a look back at where this all began. Books discussed this week include a stunning new edition of Alice in Wonderland (http://www.amazon.com/Alices-Adventures-Wonderland-Lewis-Carroll/dp/1894965000) and a very fun, very twisted (http://www.amazon.com/Alices-Adventures-Wonderland-Lewis-Carroll/dp/1894965000) book for kids, as well as a new work (http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Reality-Know-Whats-Really/dp/1439192812/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324780583&sr=1-2) from Richard Dawkins. Merry Christmas, everybody, and we'll be back in the new year with new episodes brought to you, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 24 12 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR 69: The Book Club In Action | (http://i.imgur.com/pzvr2.jpg) The Book Club is back with a look at manly works of adventure fiction, spy thrillers, tales of assassins and more. Sponsored by Audible, folks, so check out www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr for a freebie. James Bond audio books are pretty cool. | 29 9 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR 68 – We Go To The Dogs | (http://i.imgur.com/h0Mkb.jpg)Sometimes the most interesting elements of a country's past are hidden in plain sight, forgotten, and not easily noticed. For instance, the stone boots from a statue of explorer Lasalle are the only piece remaining of an historic landmark on a windswept stretch of sand on the Texas gulf coast, as we learn in Philip Marchand's excellent book Ghost Empire. This week we hide a discussion of American history books in the middle of a show featuring a dog puppet. Also covered: Gordon Korman, Archie digests, Narnia, the Toronto meetup and more. Brought to you, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 18 9 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – 67 – Keef and Life | This week we dig into rock star biographies with a look at Life, the top-selling autobiography of Keith Richards, as well as the stories of some other famous rock stars. And then, of course, tangents occur. This is how it's done. Sponsored by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr), where the books do the talking so we don't have to. | 5 8 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR 66 – Smells Like A Used Bookstore In Here | Our summer hiatus is almost over, listeners — the new Weather Station Studios is close to being finished, and eventually we hope to figure out where the microphone cables are buried in the pile of boxes down here. Honestly, it looks like that warehouse where they stashed the Ark of the Covenant, or at the very least, the back of IKEA. This episode, brought to you as always by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr), has Sarah in the studio for a talk about used books and why we love them. A note: This show was recorded on the cheap, using a Casio ghetto blaster that cost $7 at a yard sale. It has double-cassette awesomeness. | 22 7 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 65 – Books Becoming Films | (http://i.imgur.com/AgtLH.jpg) The Book Club returns for a fascinating discussion of books that have been adapted for the screen — a favourite topic here at Books You Should Read. You know how it is; sometimes it works (A Simple Plan, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Joy Luck Club, The Shining) and sometimes it doesn't (Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins). Sometimes, a good book can become a good film even with major changes (The Bourne Identity). But as long as people keep writing books, Hollywood will keep mining them for stories. In fact, this episode is extra-long because of the number of possible films to discuss ... and the Book Club barely scratched the surface. Brought you by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 18 6 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 64 – Listen the F*%# to this Podcast | Just before we tuck you in for the night, we will read you a story. | 28 5 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 63 – Worlds Outside Our Own | (http://i.imgur.com/KsGiM.jpg) We have Sarah back in the studio to explain why grownups like Harry Potter, followed by talk of other fantasy series and a look at the His Dark Materials books from Agustin in Ecuador. Brought to you by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 21 5 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 62 – Alive: Miracle in the Andes | (http://i.imgur.com/WqRhq.jpg) This week we talk about two books exploring one of the most amazing stories of human survival of the 20th century. In 1972, a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes, high in the cordillera, with no food, no help and no way out. Their ordeal, their difficult choice and their determination made them heroes. You can read more about them at their official website here (http://www.viven.com.uy/571/Eng/default.asp). Remember, Books You Should Read is sponsored by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 14 5 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 61 – Mary Midgley and Richard Dawkins | (http://i.imgur.com/nrS5y.jpg) The Book Club members went out to bend elbows for an evening and, as they do, got into an argument about modern philosophers. Gloria, Matthew and Tom (Zoe is on holiday) return to discuss religion, morality and rationality and the works of two of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. You're in for a real treat here, folks. Oh, and Happy Easter. | 25 4 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 60 – Leonardo DiCaprio, Historical Figure | (http://i.imgur.com/SESc0.jpg)Kennedy remembers when Leo DiCaprio was a wiseass kid on Growing Pains, which is also a confession that Kennedy knows who Kirk Cameron is. This episode of the podcast about books seems to actually be about how an actor has managed to bring some interesting historical stories to the screen, and there isn't even any mention of Titanic. Thank us later. Brought to you this week by Audible, where you can download a free audiobook if you ask nicely. | 19 4 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 59 – F. Paul Wilson | (http://i.imgur.com/5t2cD.jpg) Here's an American horror/sci-fi/thriller/mystery writer whose books explore the supernatural hiding under us, with an action hero element to them. Never dull, the works of F. Paul Wilson challenge ideas about how series should be structured and offer us a unique central character, plenty of humour and a glimpse of Lovecraftian terror. This episode also features the return of Agustin Chancusi, talking about Wilbur Smith's Eye of the Tiger, and a look at a certain jungle warrior we all know and love, but maybe not as much as we think. Brought to you, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 3 4 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 58 – Dirty Books | (http://i.imgur.com/J55et.jpg) A tremendous amount of research went into this episode. You can thank us later. Remember, this program is brought to you by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr) and fuelled by you, the listeners — join the forums, talk about books you love, and submit your reviews, written or audio. Email us at booksyoushouldread@simplysyndicated.com. | 14 3 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 57 – Oh, Those Russians | (http://i.imgur.com/9uVbc.jpg) The Book Club members amp up the show's IQ for this week's look at the giants of Russian literature. Pay attention, because the final exam is worth half your eventual grade. Brought to you from Studio Leeds and presented, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 4 3 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 56 – The Stephen King Redemption | (http://i.imgur.com/VfZFy.jpg) This was recorded back in the fall, and thought lost, until we tunnelled through the wall of our cell to find it. (We covered the hole in the wall with a Will Tristram poster borrowed from the Hurdle Hut). You may not like the audio quality, but please remember that if you kvetch about it too much, we will send Randall Flagg to your house. This is a look at the works of Stephen King, from the ’70s to today, brought to you, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcasts.com/bysr). | 27 2 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 55 – Tales From The Discount Bin | Let's take a short trip to the bookstore for a look at what's going on in the world of literary retail. We'll also talk about books in the public domain, e-readers, the bankruptcy of Borders and Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze. Sponsored, as we are every week, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 18 2 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 54 – Children of War | (http://i.imgur.com/7OkIP.jpg) This week we look back at the darkest hours of the 2oth century: the Holocaust and its effect on children, and the legacy of hope their stories left behind. First, Agustin is back with a review of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Then we hear from Laura, who talks about The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. As an added bonus, Ben weighs in with a look at The Finkler Question and we'll talk about Maus, too. Brought to you, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 1 2 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 53 – From Narnia to Hogwarts | (http://i.imgur.com/4NSDl.jpg)One of the most well-known Christian apologists of the 20th century was an Irish-born British writer named Clive Staples Lewis, better known as CS Lewis. From his Screwtape Letters to his manifesto, Mere Christianity, from Earth to Mars to Venus to Narnia to Charn, Lewis explored the way humans deal with good and evil, faith and redemption, in accessible ways that sold millions of copies and, in many cases, slipped under the postwar atheistic radar and taught people about faith processes before they even realized it. Join us as Josh explores the work of Lewis and Laura talks about one of his heirs apparent, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, as we cast a spell or two at Books You Should Read. Brought to you, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 21 1 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 52 – Whitewashing Huckleberry Finn | (http://i.imgur.com/Ywe3T.jpg)We're joined by Matt (http://zupkaspeaks.blogspot.com/) to talk about the decision by an American book publisher to eliminate the N-word from Mark Twain's classic novel, with input from the very engaging thread on this topic over there on the Simply Syndicated forums. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a bit of a sequel to Tom Sawyer, remains, to this day, an entertaining and adventurous tale, and is well worth seeking out ... in its original form. We also take a tour of a social network for book lovers and attempt to finally talk to you about Stephen King. Brought to you by Audible (http://audiblepodcast.com/bysr) . Remember, this show is your show; keep reading and keep reviewing. Written or recorded, your take on a favourite book is always welcome. | 12 1 11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 51 – The Gift of the Magi | Here's a special Christmas Day show featuring one of the best short stories ever written: O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi. O. Henry was William Sidney Porter (1862-1910), a writer whose focus on twist endings would inspire successive generations of short story specialists (ie. Jeffrey Archer) who liked to wrap things up with a "whoah" moment. But O. Henry was also a sentimentalist, and on Christmas Day, we could all use a little simple sentiment. Remember, if you're in the U.S., you can pay a lot less than $1.87 for an audiobook; we can set you up with one for free. All you have to do is pay a visit to our sponsor, Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 25 12 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 50 – Books Chicks Should Read | The Book Club is back, reporting from Studio Leeds on the current state of what they call "chick lit," which is, apparently, books aimed at women. Clive Cussler issued a terse "no comment." | 16 12 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 49 – In Your Face, BBC | Remember that list of 100 classic books that was going around a few days ago? And remember how someone at the BBC claimed people likely hadn't read more than six of the 100? And remember how outrage spread across Facebook, urging folks to prove the BBC wrong? Remember that? Well, it was probably bogus, some oddball Internet meme, but it still generated plenty of talk about books. This is BYSR's response, brought to you, as always, by Audible. | 7 12 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 48 – How To Make Sure You Stay Single | We're back in our Canadian studios for a quick look at seven books guaranteed to ensure the first time you bring someone home will also be the last time. Then Sarah Deeth stops in for a catch-up session on what we've been reading — including Room by Emma Donoghue, Edward Rutherfurd's New York and Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel — and what we've got in the wings. Brought to you, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). And don't forget to check out BYSR's guest appearance on the latest episode of Horror Etc. (http://www.horroretc.com) | 25 11 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 47 – It Turns Out The British Are Funny | Here's a new episode straight from Studio Leeds, featuring The Book Club, with Monica, Chandler, Rachel and Ross. It's a look at British comic fiction, brought to you by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcasts.com/bysr). I think I got their names wrong. — Kennedy | 13 11 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 46 – Hello, Clarice | This week we look at Hannibal Lecter — not the movie version, but the Thomas Harris character, and the books in which he appears. Of course, we do talk about the films, but that's inevitable, because we watch too many movies. There is also mention of Peter Straub's A Dark Matter and a look at a book called Cold Earth, by Sarah Moss. And a nice chianti. Brought to you by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 30 10 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 45 – Vampires Don’t Sparkle | It's a real grab bag this week ... a grab bag full of blood and guts. We have listener mail, and you'll hear from Starbase 66's Rick Tetrault and the ever-dependable Steven Nystrom as we slash our way through Horror Month with a look at vampires, monsters and an oversexed dude called Bunny. Sponsored, as always, by Audible (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 19 10 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 44 – Horror Books You Should Read | The first of our special October mini-series digs up the dark, dire world of horror fiction. We begin with a roundup chat about some of our favourite tales of terror — books you may not know, but may want to check out. Our creepy, malevolent ghouls Scary Sarah and Sinister Steve join Kreepy Kennedy to talk about what lurks in the small hours. If you haven't already, go ahead and sign up for our frightening forums to discuss books and more right here at Simply Syndicated. Brought to you, as always, by Audible. Get your free Audiobook here (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). | 6 10 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 43 – Say No To Harry Potter | “I feel bad about giving Harry Potter books to my nephew. It’s like shoving a burger into his face instead of a carrot.” This week, we return to the topic of children’s books, but we shift the focus away from teenaged detectives as the Book Club tackles the topic from a British perspective. You’ll hear from Matthew, Zoe, Tom and Gloria on this one. Yes, that Gloria. Expect to hear more from the Book Club in the future. This show was brought to you, as always, by Audible. | 22 9 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 42 – E-BYSR | Join us for a talk about e-books, e-book readers and how they may, or may not, change the way we read. This episode features input from Sarah Deeth, Andrea Houston, Christopher Gleeson and Dave Rollins. Brought to you, as always, by Audible. | 15 9 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 41 – What Might Have Been | Imagine a world where the Nazis won World War 2 ... or where JFK became a TV star and took the lead role in a certain science fiction series ... or where Admiral Marius stayed in the Air Force and became chairman of the Joint Chiefs on his way to the U.S. presidency ... these are alternate histories, timelines and storylines diverging from established moments in the past. This popular genre of fiction is the focus of this week's show, brought to you, as always, by Audible. Anyway, this episode is a bit short; Kennedy was in a rush to catch NBC's The Tonight Show with David Letterman. | 9 9 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 40 – “You Have To Read This!” | (http://imgur.com/dfzWK.jpg)Maybe this has happened to you: someone urges a popular book on you, insisting you'll love it. And you read it, and you don't love it. This week, Sarah and Elizabeth join me to talk about bestsellers, hot books and why we seek out currently popular books — or avoid them. Steven Nystrom is along for the ride. It's almost like a book club, except we don't like book clubs. Warning: This podcast contains mention of Eat Pray Love. Books You Should Read is sponsored by Audible.com. (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr) | 24 8 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 39 – Children’s Books | Which books did we love as kids? Which books should kids read now? Which of us still buys and reads old children's books? You can probably guess the answer to that one. Sarah Deeth is back, and you'll also hear from Greg Blanchard and Antony James as we talk about books and other cool stuff. | 15 8 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 38 – To Kill A Mockingbird | If at first you don’t succeed … pretend it never happened, and start over. This is called revisionist history, and it’s at the heart of a lot of attempts to ban books. And also why you probably think you saw this posting earlier, but now it’s different. Anyway, The new Books You Should Read continues to take shape as Kennedy welcomes Agustin Chancusi to the show; listen as two non-Americans talk about what may be the most American novel of the 20th century. Also, tune in for The Appendix, a segment focused on genre works, which makes its debut this week with a comics review from Charlie Pressley. | 9 8 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 37 – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo | In the first episode of the revamped and relaunched Books You Should Read, we're joined by some special guests for a look at the first novel in the late Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy. This leads to a discussion of translated works and includes reaction from journalists who read this story of a reporter on a mission, a decades-old mystery and a rather unusual young woman. Don't forget to visit the forums to keep up to date with the books we're reading ... and, as always, weigh in with your reviews, either in audio or written form. | 2 8 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 36 – Dune by Frank Herbert | In this week's show Admiral Marius of Starbase 66 (http://www.simplysyndicated.com/shows/starbase66) reviews Frank Herbert's Dune. Books You Should Read is sponsored by Audible, and they've got a cracking copy of Dune on there. To download your free copy visit audiblepodcast.com/bysr (http://www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr). (http://www.simplysyndicated.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/639x79_audible.jpg) | 15 6 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 35 – Fallen Dragon by Peter F Hamilton | Ian Pope reviews Fallen Dragon by Peter F Hamilton. | 19 4 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 34 – Shock Doctrine | This week Brad Fonton reviews Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein. | 1 4 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 33 – It’s Called Work For A Reason | Greg Blanchard reviews It's Called Work For A Reason by Larry Winget. | 25 3 10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 32 – Slaughterhouse-Five | Leslie Claussen reviews Slaugherhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. A post-modern anti-war science fiction novel dealing with a soldier's experiences during World War 2 and his journeys with time travel. Get the book on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385333846?ie=UTF8&tag=simplsyndi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385333846)(http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=simplsyndi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0385333846) Get the Book on Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0060573775?ie=UTF8&tag=simplsyndi-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0060573775)(http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=simplsyndi-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0060573775) Get the DVD on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001FVDGY?ie=UTF8&tag=simplsyndi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0001FVDGY)(http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=simplsyndi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001FVDGY) Get the DVD on Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000EMI5NS?ie=UTF8&tag=simplsyndi-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B000EMI5NS)(http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=simplsyndi-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B000EMI5NS) | 9 6 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 31 – The Godfather | This week Kevin Archibald reviews The Godfather. | 2 6 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 30 – The Dame and the Kimono | This week Allison Downing reads a review by Greg Blanchard of The Dame and the Komono. | 5 5 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 29 – The Girl Next Door | Kennedy Gordon reviews The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. | 30 3 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 28 – Love, Janis | This week (Ro) Karren reviews Love, Janis by Janis Joplin. | 24 2 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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44 |
BYSR – Episode 27 – The Stranger | robert1325 reviews The Stranger by Albert Camus. | 16 2 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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BYSR – Episode 26 – Roots | Books You Should Read returns with a review from Kennedy Gordon. | 2 2 09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 45 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Total lack of pretention
These reviews are brilliant. The reviewers are not pretentious but they are fantastically passionate about the books they are reviewing. It is really refreshing to hear honest reviews of books without any of the "look how clever I am" one-upmanship which permeates certain other review shows. I am not sure that the fowl language of a couple of the reviewers is entirely necessary though.
These are awesome! LISTEN!
These are really entertaining and evaluative podcasts, if only a bit too short. The reviewers are passionate about their subject matter and have persuaded me to go out and buy the books reccomended. Finally, a good 'books' podcast has arrived on itunes, SUBSCRIBE!
Very informative
An excelent podcast. The fact that there is a different reviewer for each one is both good and bad, somtimes we get someone who is funny, carismatic and who realy gives us a good sence of the book, for example the Captain Corelli's Mandolin episode. However some reviews can seem a bit forced, as if the reviewer is just reading out loud from something written down. for example the Harry Potter episode. The podcast has inspired me to read several books, and I haven't been dissapointed once, well worth a listen.
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