Paperback Friends

We had to dig deep for this episode, but it was a lot of fun even if it was a bit more work, and I think it turned out pretty well too. I hope that it feels worthwhile for you, my dear listener, and don't hesitate to reach out with questions. Huge thanks to Nina Tegar for supplying some of the spine for the episode. Other sources: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US https://www.myidentifiers.com/iden...

What an absolute surprising delight this book was! I had no idea, but I more than get into it in the episode =) Type: Review | Book: The Secret Garden | Writer: Frances Hodgson Burnett

What Is Purple Prose? Well, that's what we are here to figure out! The TL;DR: it's overly descriptive prose and writing that tries to be poetic or sound nice, but more likely just drags and bores you. Type: Writing 101 | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

The five-star-legend is back! God, I love this old bastard; here's another Orwell review coming at you. Also, I say hello out of form in this episode. If you noticed, and you hate it; I did too. We'll have to yell at me, you and I. Type: Review | Book: Down and Out in Paris and London | Writer: George Orwell

Alright, nothing to see here, just a new trailer for the podcast =) /Sam - 11/04-2026.

A classic episode with some tangents and frustrated energy. All in good fun, but I had some major issues with the fundamental story in this novel; it just does not make sense which is a shame considering Lynch's pretty solid writing overall. Type: Review | Book: Red Seas Under Red Skies | Writer: Scott Lynch

This topic has been bothering me for a while, so I thought we could make an episode about it. More reviews are coming up, and these other episodes have gotten a lot better, but this idea may have been a bit under-cooked. I still feel like this was fair at least =) Type: General | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

Short and sweet, just a bit of a teaser episode at some of the books that are coming in the near future. I can't wait to read these books, so we can talk about them together =) Type: General | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

That makes for two episodes in a row of just excellent concepts. Sadly, like The Picture of Dorian Gray this book does not quite do it for me. Let's talk about why in another episode of Paperback Friends. Type: Review | Book: Shutter Island | Writer: Dennis Lehane

This is the year of quality. Solid episode, short and sweet and a good review. Fun behind the scenes info is that this was supposed to be 81, but 80 was so awful I had to scrap it. Quality, quality, quality. Type: Review | Book: The Picture of Dorian Gray | Writer: Oscar Wilde

Episode 79 coming in from orbit. This is an interesting one; I should like this more than I end up doing, but regardless it has a lot to say. Also, sorry about the voice sounding a bit nasally; I was on the other side of influenza while recording this. Type: Review | Book: The Man Who Fell to Earth | Writer: Walter Tevis

Some crazy and angry energy in this one, but that's what I'm here for =) Type: [General] | Book: Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames | Writer: Thích Nhất Hạnh

Haha, some weird energy in this one. I was a day away from coming down with a pretty bad cold. You can hear it in my voice in some places if you really listen for it. Also the energy in my voice is a bit off. Other than that it actually is a bit of a spicy episode for spicy topics! Non-fiction is pretty rare on this podcast, but this memoir have been on my radar for a while, and it was nice to fin...

Not the most riveting read for me. Though, the novella does have some interesting stuff to offer; it's one of those – message is cool, book is boring kind of a deal. Save yourself time, and skip reading it by joining me for this episode! Type: Review | Book: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde | Writer: Robert Louis Stevenson

Not the most interesting novella, and it's not a secret that I hate this one. One of the worst things I've read outside of school. However, why do I feel like that, and does it really have nothing to offer? Find out in another episode of Paperback Friends. Type: Review | Book: The Old Man and the Sea | Writer: Ernest Hemingway

You know what? I may not be the worst reviewer in the world anymore xD Seriously though, I think I've shaped up a lot. This is a pretty good episode! Type: Review | Book: Coraline | Writer: Neil Gaiman

Does Orwell do the impossible, or will this be the first Orwell book that does not hit? Find out, in another episode of Paperback Friends! Type: Review | Book: Burmese Days | Writer: George Orwell

What is this? A good freaking episode?! I told you 2026 was going to bump up the quality, and this episode is where I started putting even more effort in scripting than ever before. Far from perfect, but this is actually pretty darn good. Hope you like it, and expect more like it from now on, but with a bit more anger and verve ^^ Type: Review | Book: The Dice Man | Writer: Luke Rhinehart

Let's recap the year. If we squint, it's kind of a review episode ^^ Type: [General] | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

Feels about time we have a Charles Dicken's book on the podcast. There is something a bit magical, something unmistakable about this one; despite me not falling headless over heels for it. It's a novel that it feels like a guy like me should have read. Now, I have. Type: Review | Book: Great Expectations | Writer: Charles Dickens

This series has me excited! All Systems Red, novella by Martha Wells, is very enjoyable, and it leaves me hoping for the rest of the series. I will definitely read more of this in the podcast. Type: Review | Book: All Systems Red | Writer: Martha Wells

I wanted to say thanks for 2025, and talk about some goals for 2026. Shorter than last time... Thanks for your time, really. It means the world to me =) /Sam.

Some good points here, but I still need to tighten up, and I promise that this is one of the key focus points for 2026, and I hope that in some of the coming episodes we will see way more signs of that. For now, an okay episode, but I can do way better, and you deserve better. Let's get better =) Type: Review | Book: Queen of Fire | Writer: Anthony Ryan

A bit sloppy on my end, but I feel as if I get a lot better results with more scripted stuff. Sadly, I was a bit distracted at the time of recording this. 2026 is going to start pretty rough, but at least I have you guys! Type: Review | Book: Dragonfruit | Writer: Makiia Lucier

Filler, unhinged? You’ve heard it before, welcome to another episode of Paperback Friends with your host Sam Ögren. Type: [General] | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A