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 in our review of First Lie Wins!

Intro/Book Report (0:00-4:07)

Stock Up/Down (4:08-25:10)

Favorite Scene/Character (25:11-32:45)

Love/Hate (32:46-37:18)

Casting the Movie/Lingering Questions (37:19-40:33)

Conclusion (40:34-44:59)

NEXT BOOK: Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman

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 this book and join us as we venture through Book 1 of Dungeon Crawler Carl.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-2:58)

Stock Up/Down (2:59-22:17)

Favorite Scene/Character (22:18-29:41)

Love/Hate/Listener Mail (29:42-35:59)

Casting the Movie/TV Show (36:00-38:20)

Conclusion (38:21-41:53)

NEXT BOOK: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

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 Lamar have in common with this book. So join us for the most uncomfortable ‘funny’ book club discussion this side of Appalachia!

Intro/Book Report (0:00-3:11)

Stock Up/Down (3:12-40:22)

Favorite Scene/Character (40:23-43:53)

Love/Hate (43:54-51:00)

Conclusion (51:01-54:30)

NEXT BOOK: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

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, hop on your dragon if you were lucky enough to get chosen by one, bring your Signets, your love for Xaden (and hate for Dain) and join us as we jump into the first book of The Empyrean Series.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-3:43)

Stock Up/Down (3:44-29:11)

Favorite Scene/Character (29:12-36:16)

Love/Hate (36:17-46:21)

Listener Mail/Reviews (46:22-49:22)

Casting the Movie/TV Show (49:23-52:07)

Conclusion (52:08-55:46)

NEXT BOOK: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

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 community college admissions in small-town Missouri, and wondering if maybe eyepatch technology is due for an upgrade after several centuries. So, grab your sketchbook (preferably filled with portraits of missing persons), double-check that your doors are locked, and join the Buddies as they navigate through this heart-wrenching story.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-4:08)

Stock Up/Down (2:49-39:33)

Favorite Scene/Character/Listener Email (39:34-45:16)

Love/Hate (45:17-54:31)

Lingering Questions/Casting the Movie/Show (54:32-59:25)

Conclusion (59:26-1:02:07)

NEXT BOOK: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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 just had terrible eyesight. So, grab your sword (named or unnamed), pour yourself some liquid courage, and join the Buddies as they battle through Book 1 of the Warlord Chronicles.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-2:48)
Stock Up/Down (2:49-32:14)
Favorite Scene/Character (32:15-42:50)
Love/Hate (42:51-52:12)
Listener Email (52:13-55:01)
Casting the Movie/Show (55:02-56:22)
Conclusion (56:23-57:53)

NEXT BOOK: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

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, and join the Buddies as we take the plunge into Before the Fall.

Intro/Book Report(0:00-4:28)
Stock Up/Down (4:29-30:09)
Favorite Scene/Character (30:10-36:39)
Love/Hate (36:40-45:55)
Conclusion (45:56-47:49)

NEXT BOOK: The Winter King (The Warlord Trilogy) by Bernard Cornwell

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)
Stock Up/Down (3:04-22:33)
Favorite Scene/Character (22:34-27:12)
Love/Hate (27:13-37:20)
Conclusion (37:21-39:05)

NEXT BOOK: Before the Fall by Noah Hawley