The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast

Book prizes tend to create a lot of buzz and conversation in the literary world. And that surely can’t be a bad thing, right? Some of us are longlist completionists, some patiently wait for the winner and others just let it all pass them by. This week, we’re joined by book critic and bookstore owner Lori Feathers to discuss literary prizes, including the newly launched Republic Of Consciousness prize in the U.S. and Canada, which she is spearheading. We also talk about backlisted titles and some of our favorite acclaimed books from the past. For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

Some of us read for escape, others for the beauty of language. And then there are those on a never ending quest to be scared witless! In this episode, we discuss a variety of scary reads, from ghost stories, to tales of dread to downright horror. We each share three of our favorite spooky books, discuss three short stories, and ask for a little help in finding books that will truly keep us up at night. Come listen to us. Forever. And ever. And ever.   Happy Halloween, everyone!   For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

Borges’ library. Middle Earth. Avonlea. Literature is filled with wonderful and intriguing places we wish were real. This week, we chat about the different things that make these worlds so appealing and fascinating. And, of course, we each pick a few of our very favorites to discuss! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

What is your preferred hotel experience? Do you go for a break from it all? A secret meeting? Do you like seedy crime scenes, or ghosts from the past? Are you there in a crowd of interesting and troubled individuals? Or do you prefer to go out of season? This week, we are pleased to have Jacqui from JacquiWine's Journal as a guest to discuss hotel novels (with one short story from Paul). And happy fall, everyone! Thanks to everyone who entered our fall reading swag box giveaway! In this episode we announce the winner! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

This week, our two heroes journey across the wine-dark sea in search of their favorite epic reads. But first, they have to try to figure out what the heck that even means! Trevor and Paul discuss some of the criteria that make up an epic and have fun debating where the definition begins and ends. They also each bring five of their favorites for discussion (along with some honorable mentions, of course).  And don't miss the announcement of the winner of Rodrigo Fresan's The Rememebered Part or the unveiling of a fun new Autumn themed giveaway.  All in all, a very epic episode! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

Sliding doors? Nesting dolls? A bolt of lightning from on high? Talking about the works of Cesar Aira isn't always an easy task - but it sure is fun! This week, we take a discursive and meandering journey through the wonderful worlds of this magical author, including listeners’ favorite books, passages and memories. We also announce the winner of our Salka Valka giveaway and share the details of our next one! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Chris Wolak from the Book Cougars joins us for a wide ranging discussion of Willa Cather's A Lost Lady.   We discuss myths, disillusionment, the passing of the American West, victims of masculine heroics, the economic realities of women throughout history, and much more.   And don't miss our latest giveaway: a copy of Salka Valka, by Halldór Laxness! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

Growing old is the subject of a lot of great literature. In this episode, Trevor and Paul discuss some of their favorite books (and one short story) about growing old. They also annouce who won the signed copies of Mark Haber's novels! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

You know those authors and books that you can’t seem to connect with … but also aren’t quite ready to give up on? In this episode, Paul and Trevor try to figure out why some books and authors are easy to ditch while others keep calling to us. They each share a few examples from their own shelves and offer some ideas on why they can’t quit them. They also unveil the three (!) winners of the New Directions giveaways. And that's not the end of the giveaways. Listen to get a chance to win signed copies of Mark Haber's novels! Please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we’re joined by author and bookseller extraordinaire Mark Haber to chat about one of our favorite publishers: New Directions. Although Paul and Trevor can't compete with Mark’s ND tattoo, we can match his enthusiasm as we each share three of our favorite titles. Plus, there are not one, not two, but three bookish giveaways, so makes sure you listen in for details! Please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon. Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews. Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mookse.substack.com/subscribe