Michael & Ethan in a Room with Scotch

Check out what Michael & Ethan think of The Plains by Gerald Murnane . There is actually a lot to be said about this book, although to look at its cover, you wouldn’t think so. In this episode: Michael pushes a button in the air. They’ve been writing/performing an absurdist play for the last 3 years. They get sidetracked by the Strange Planet comic strip. Ethan starts them off on a very biogra...

They were given a homework assignment by Nathaniel Rhein: Book/Story/Poem/Essay Assigned: Tobias Wolff’s short story “Smokers” available online at https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1976/12/smokers/306060/ Homework Assignment: What *really* happens in the story? Is the narrator reliable? (Context: This is an assignment I was given many years ago in an undergraduate logic/English class. I...

The pair finishes they’re discussion of Things not Seen by Andrew Clements . Ethan threatans to take his toys and go home, but he can’t quit the podcast, Michael, or you, the gentle listener. So he sticks it out to give you his thoughts on this YA Sci-Fi adventure. Bonus: at the end, they talk about Jonathan Franzen’s “10 Rules for Novelists.” In this episode: Nothing of value is said in the first...

Take a break from Things not Seen by Andrew Clements , and listen to Michael & Ethan responding to the responses of the listeners! Thanks for sending your feedback, and as always, you’re encouraged to give more! In this episode: Michael makes up a word, probably. They’re not sponsored by The Bitter Truth . Write-Only Memory What makes a villain? What makes an anti-hero? What makes a feminist?...

When you distill meanness down into a glass, what do you get? We’re discussing Things not Seen by Andrew Clements , a classic from Michael’s youth. Michael tells only some of the listeners to go suck an egg. That’s not you. Ethan quotes Hezekiah 16:4. Michael makes an Alzabo Soup transition. Michael confesses, he hasn’t finished this book. Ethan whispers secrets, while Michael goes to get books. H...

Michael & Ethan continue in their discussion of Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel , really getting into the nitty-gritty of why anything even matters. But is that inherently nihilist? Find out today on Michael & Ethan in a Room with Scotch! In this episode: It will inevitably turn into a Dadaist digression on the environment and the solipsistic nature of man. This book is both Shakes...

In literature, as in life, sometimes you find yourself in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, where if you’ve survived the pandemic, there’s probably a reason - and that reason may be that the prophet of the new age needs you to be his wife. Or maybe you’re destined to be something else entirely. Or maybe destiny’s got nothing to do with it, and you’re just going to build a museum to your own definition...

They finally reach the end of Part II of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes ! Michael & Ethan are super excited about it, and have a rip-roaring time. In between the laughter, they manage to do a little literary analysis, too. In this episode: Don Quixote hosts this one, but which Don Quixhote? Tricked You! Michael & Ethan speak a little French. Probably poorly. A brief aside about Hamilto...

Having completed their analysis of Part I, the duo takes on Part II of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes , and having crested the hill, it’s all headed downward from here. In this episode: The Priest and the Barber in a Room with Scotch Ethan claims “we” sound sluggish, but it’s really just him. Ethan will just say words. This is the most lethargic they have ever been. Michael reads Ethan’s mind....

With their guests Justin & Larry from the Here’s Johnny! horror review podcast, Michael & Ethan discuss Edgar Allen Poe’s classic short story: “ The Tell-Tale Heart ”. In this episode: The guests bite quickly at the opportunity to impose a new rule on Michael & Ethan. Ethan dumps on his wife - but what else is new? Michael & Justin in a Room, but We’re Not Mentioning What They’re D...

It’s the Second Sally of Part I of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes . Michael & Ethan deny everything, admit nothing, and analyze the heck out of this book, while making fun of each other and drinking scotch. But hey, what else is new? In this episode: We’re specific with our terms so that no one is confused. Michael gets Ethan with some harsh tsk -ing. This episode is dedicated to all of Et...

Michael & Ethan dive into the large and daunting Part I of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes . In this episode: Ethan has a heat-stricken brain. Michael clicks only the French “explicit” tag. Ethan decided not to be a jerk, but won’t make that mistake again. Michael is really determined to talk about Nabokov. They don’t let anyone else talk. This isn’t going to become the How I Met Your Mothe...

Michael comes with an announcement regarding the upcoming episodes of the show, which will officially kick off Season 3! In the middle of his announcement, he accidentally receives some strange trans-dimensional transmissions. Why yes, they do both listen to Hello from the Magic Tavern . Why do you ask? In this episode: Ethan tries to trap Michael with logic, which is the Devil's plaything. The Ri...

Michael & Ethan present themselves as co-teachers of an Advanced Creative Writing Course, in which their promising (but potentially troubled) student Daniel Brown has offered them his thriller novel. They take out their red pens and give writing advice. In this episode: Alternate titles are offered, such as, "Everything Michael & Ethan Know About Physics," "Hyperbole Cast," "Suck-It, Podca...

They keep discussing Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons , a book both of the guys hate [love]. Their minds are literarily blown by the wonder of this book, and they must read it again. Will you read along? In this episode: We reach the opposite of an apotheosis. We're coasting on the grace of the breezes. We play more Literary Matchmaker. We give a nod to Lars (@_larsj) regarding the #larseffect. We fin...

Maybe they've discussed this book before, but maybe they haven't. Maybe they've found Huck Finn's dream girl and the nemesis of Holden Caulfield: It's Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons . In this episode: Ethan thinks Michael's butt is very good. Ethan is so angry. Michael controls your narrative. Michael & Ethan have been flipping a coin since episode 1. Michael & Ethan Create Fanfiction out of...

Finding more to discuss about The Ocean at the End of the Lane by @neilhimself , Michael & Ethan break the barriers of sound in their excitement. In this episode: Ethan is a very lovely lady. This podcast is a rip-roaring thing. What is "popular mythology"? Everything is concluded at 16:30. Ethan takes his Maiden, Mother, and Crone and goes home. This is a clean, family-friendly podcast. Ethan...

The boys are very, very excited to talk about this one, one of their mutually favorite books by one of their mutually favorite authors: it's The Ocean at the End of the Lane by @neilhimself . In this episode: They're in a room they've never recorded in before. Someone's lying, and Ethan thinks it's this bottle of scotch. Michael is definitely a plebe. Neil Gaiman has probably read every book. They...

Michael & Ethan are still  doing homework!  (Hopefully in time for finals...)   Submit yours on the website!   This week's homework assignment was  "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T. S. Eliot .  So, drinking some beer, they discuss how much they don't know how to say. In this episode: Michael causes problems in Ethan's life. Sit down, shut up, stop m...

Michael & Ethan are doing homework!  Submit yours on the website!   Also, Michael is moving, so they couldn't get together to talk about their regularly scheduled book.  That's coming, don't worry!  But the podcast is going through changes, passing through puberty, growing up.  So, this episode, they're going to help you with your English class by discussing some of Sh...

Michael & Ethan eventually finish discussing A Wrinkle in Time  by Madeleine L'Engle .  Karen left, because she hates us (but also has to work in the morning), but mostly because she hates us.  In this episode: Several people have Ethan's apartment bugged. New podcast title: "Ethan in a Room Drinking Scotch that Michael Is Also in but Not Drinking the Scotch with Him." We're pre...

Michael & Ethan begin discussing a favorite of Michael's:  A Wrinkle in Time  by Madeleine L'Engle .  Also, they have a very special guest!  Ethan's wife - I mean, Michael's wife, er, Ethan's....  It's all very confusing.  It's Karen Bartlett!  (Don't worry, everything is definitely on the up-and-up, as far as you can tell.)  In this episode: All ki...

Michael & Ethan continue talking about A Borrowed Man  by Gene Wolfe  while drinking a Highland single malt.  Ethan promised to answer all your questions.  Does he?  In this episode: Ethan pilots the podcast alone. Karen doesn't get credit. Ethan gives Michael a giant bubble.  Michael pokes holes in it. Ethan wants to be Alzabo Soup . Michael issues a public chall...

Michael & Ethan crack into A Borrowed Man  by Gene Wolfe  while drinking a Highland single malt.  None of it's not pretty.  In this episode: They slow down, as requested. A couple alternate titles for the podcast are thrown around. Ethan is a completionist most of the time. Ethan agrees but disagrees.  Michael disagrees but agrees. Gene Wolfe treats us like dogs. Micha...

Michael & Ethan & special guest Sarah continue discussing The House of Special Purpose  by John Boyne  while enjoying a couple tasty Rittenhouse Rye  cocktails made by your host, Ethan Bartlett.  Look below for the recipes!  In this episode: Ethan & Sarah in a Room with Scotch. Michael fused with the book (again?). Michael rocks your world. Sarah undercuts the...