So Many Damn Books

Christopher and Drew decide it's never too early for list making, and choose six favorites from the year to date (2016). Then they get out their crystal ball and look forward to books coming out for the rest of the year. Summertime reading, awayyyyy! 15 seconds of a song: The Monkees - You Bring the Summer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drew and Christopher tackle YA through the 2001 classic Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli and the 2016 Printz Award Winner, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby. Grand theories are posited, the state of YA is considered, the line between YA and regular lit is blurred. No one gets hurt and everyone's happy.   15 seconds of a song: Regina Spektor, "Us" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephanie Danler, author of the highly recommended Sweetbitter, joins the guys in the Damn Library for a chat about anything and everything. Food, identity, sex - you name it, they talk about it. TWO cocktails are imbibed and Maggie Nelson's exceptional Bluets is unanimously praised. 15 seconds of a song: "The Clearest Blue" - CHVRCHES Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexander Chee stops into the Damn Library for a Lilliet and a discussion of his novel The Queen of the Night. Drew and Christopher ask after pop culture parallels and fidelity to nonfiction. They also discuss Garth Greenwell's What Belongs to You and whether or not you're a sucker to fall in love with a prostitute. 15 seconds of a song: I Love Paris - Sam Butera and the Witnesses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drew and Christopher see if they can draw any comparisons between the current election and Hunter S. Thompson's other Fear and Loathing book. Not the one that he goes to Las Vegas. Gonzo journalism is discussed, but sadly, not Gonzo from the Muppets.  Fifteen Seconds of a Song: "American Girl" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And that's a wrap! What a tournament of books that was! Tournament of Books producer Nozlee and former contestant (with his book A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall) Will Chancellor stop by the Damn Library to talk believability, tooth truths, good tourney moments, and much more! 15 Seconds of a song: Taki Rari - Yma Sumac  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drew and Christopher talk their brackets and re-reading. They wax nostalgic on the week past and dive deep into the remaining match-ups as we head into the finals. Plus, a bookish wager on who will take the Rooster home. 15 Seconds of a song: The Aquabats - Magic Chicken! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katy Waldman stops by the Damn Library to drink "The Rooster" and prognosticate. Jane Austen keeps getting updated, the trio relives the first round of the TOB's ups and downs, and then a deep dive into Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff somehow reveals which presidential couple is most like the Underwoods from House of Cards. And more!   15 Seconds of a Song: Modest Mouse - Wild Packs of Family Dogs     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Flournoy, author of the Turner House, stops by the Damn Library, fresh off her Tournament of Books win in round one against Ban en Banlieue. She and the guys talk where she was when her novel published, whether or not she believes in ghosts, and how it was to write in Iowa. And of course they all discuss Tournament happenings and could-happens. 15 Seconds of a song: Kamasi Washington "Rerun" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's tournament time!! Christopher drinks a Slaughtering Mary, Drew and Maris Kreizman don't. They all discuss Maris' book/blog Slaughterhouse 90210 and Kickstarter, and then delve into the complexities of The Invaders by Karolina Waclawiak. There's also a little ToB prognostication. CAWWWWW! 30 Seconds of a song: "Frenchy" from the 30 Rock OST. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.