Paperback Friends

Today we run through some easy-to-read books for the summer. I know it’s the end of summer, but consider them your fall-reading then if you hate the concept so much ^^ Animal Farm “Allt är för bra nu” Wayfarer series: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet | A Closed and Common Orbit. Dark Matter Type: [General] | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

How did he do it? Well, this is the answer, and it’s why I love it. George Orwell is no stranger to any of my regular listeners. This book is a bit outside of my usual stuff, but so, I suppose, is my enthusiasm for Orwell. If you are sick of my watered-down episodes; this is the apology. This is one of my best reviews of a really great gem that I think anyone with the slightest of interest in Orwe...

Why do so many of my episodes suck? Not my best, but this is how it has to be sometimes if we are going to keep up this rate. I'll see if I can get some better filler episodes in there; I think you deserve better than this. I like the points in this one, but it lacks a true substance, and drive to be honest. Type: Writing 101 | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

Not the most inspiring topic, but the show must go on. If nothing else, I do get some funnies going in this episode. This is something that’s probably better suited for a discussion, but we are not quite there yet with guests lining around the block, and until we are there; you’ll have to make due with me, or drop me like a bad book ^^ Type: General | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

It’s always tough for me to do reviews of books I read a while ago. Still, I do okay with it in this one. So, what does the no mighty one think about this one? Well, if you know how I feel about Blood Song – you know how I feel about this one. There are many cool things about this novel, but writer Scott Lynch falls into the trap of terrible plot points like so many others. Yepp, it’s our favorite...

A calm and mild-mannered review. I don’t yell a single time, and I barely curse. Don’t worry it’s still on brand. There are things in this novel that I really, really hate; I just show very high restraint. So this is what I’m like on medication? This novel could be for someone, but it sure isn’t me. And considering how many other great books there are; just in this podcast – I would not get to thi...

The second interview on the podcast! This time, I sit down with the great guy, Oskar Eklin. Oskar coaches people in personal efficiency and productivity. We all have a limited amount of time and energy each day, so how do we make the most of it? How can you make changes in your life? That’s where Oskar comes in. As you might know, I’m not the biggest fan of personal development books. The war wage...

Why don't I grade the books I review? Do you care? Probably not, but that has never, and will never stop me =) I have certainly mentioned it before, but here is the Sam Ögren reason (aka, the long answer). Type: General | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

I wanted to talk about this, but maybe this would have lent itself much better as a topic of discussion? I mean that is more or less always the case, but I do the usual thing here, and flail about the topic in a pretty clumsy way. Not a horrible episode, but certainly not my best. It felt a lot cleaner while recording, but then again, they usually do, but I’m surprised how much I did not like list...

Alright, what to say about this episode? Well, it’s another filler. Filler!? Haha, maybe that’s harsh, but we do take a look back at some of the crazy books I’ve reviewed this past year, and there are some fun and very surprising moments. *IMPORTANT* This episode features massive spoilers for seven different books, two quick ones in the beginning before we get to the actual list. I will list the b...

What to say about this one? It’s good, Andy Weir writes an action-packed adventure about humanity’s last hope in the face of an interplanetary phenomenon. Strong, realistic writing sadly clashes with odd humor, and a tone I can’t quite wrap my head around. Make no mistake, you will like this novel; I just didn’t love the way the tone clashes against itself. Type: [Review] | Book: Project Hail Mary...

Today we are taking a look at Nigel Warburton’s A Little History of Philosophy. Spoilers, it’s very good at what it does. I’d go as far as to say delightful. Warburton makes what is usually unapproachable, approachable and for all ages. This is no small feat mind you, and why this is such an easy recommend for anyone with even a mild curiosity for the thinking arts. Hats off to Warburton. Type: [R...

This was a really fun episode. You get some classic Ögren here; lots of crazy, and a bit of yelling at bad storytelling, and plot devices. Your milage may vary ^^ Type: Writing 101 | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

My war against self-help, popular science and educational books continues. Makes me sound like a pretty bad guy? I jest, but loyal listeners will know the inflexibility of those genres sometimes really ticks me off (like most things tbh). John Truby writes a decent book to help you become a better writer; mainly for screen writers. He doesn't seem like a bad guy, and there is a decent amount o...

Great characters make or break a good story, but what makes a good character, and is there anything we can learn from the books we have read on the podcast? Join me in episode 36 to find out what makes a great character in fiction =) Type: Writing 101 | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

Haha, this one is a bit wierd maybe? It's an episode about how to find new books. Honestly, I find it quite difficult, or used to. So, I thought I'd share my tips. All the best! Type: General | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

I love a good standalone, and this one is just that! Makiia Lucier writes a complex, well-told story with great world building. I’m a sucker for details that we don’t really need, but that still adds something to the world, characters or story. I firmly believe that the less mechanical writing is; the more room it leaves to be something different. Year of the Reaper is different, and while a weak...

What was originally supposed to be a review episode got turned into this less traditional review. My first recording turned out poorly. I know this isn't the best podcast in the world, but I do hold myself to a certain standard at least; believe it or not. So, this is sort of a review, but not quite – I still wanted to talk about the book though, so I took a step back and tried again. We got s...

Glad I read it, but man does it not live up to the hype. I don't get it with this one. This is the opposite of 1984 for me where 1984 manages to live up to the hype and the expectations, but this? Very much does not. But let's get into why I don't love this one, and where I do think there are some good parts. Type: Review | Book: The Great Gatsby | Writer: F. Scott Fitzgerald

I have my first, real interview on the podcast with the kind and knowledgeable librarian, Emily Ringborg. This was such a fun episode to record, and I hope you guys have great time listening to it as well. The focus of the episode is mostly on Emily’s book tips, but we also talk about some other stuff in-between. Here are all the tips in case you missed one while listening: Emile Zola - Thérèse Ra...

Becky Chambers hits something special in her second novel in the semi-standalone Wayfarer Series . Chamber’s writing has this aimlessness to it that is hard to master, but very enjoyable when it’s done right. Owl and Jane23, that’s all I’ll say about why I think this is special. While this will not be for everyone, if you like a novel that isn’t in a rush, and feels lived in – then this might just...

This time we do a tiny bit of reminiscing as we recall some of the “bad” novel that I have reviewed on the show. However, not to make fun of them, or belittle them more; rather I try to show some regard by highlighting things that are good with what to me was some bad reading experiences. The point is, even the bad ones have something good in them =) Type: Writing 101 | Book: N/A | Writer: N/A

I had one of these episodes a few weeks ago. I thought it was so bad; I had to scrap it. This one is not much better xD Still, after a verbose intro I do get to some interesting points. As I’ve said, there are going to have to be a few episodes like these in-between reviews. Hopefully, I can fill space with more interviews and better content as we trod along this podcast road. For now, consider th...

Your favorite crazy person is back at it, and this time I’m yelling about “corrupted evil” in novels. Look, evil is not a flu, it’s not a disease, or something that just “happens.” Being a jerk, is pretty much always a choice. Framing that choice is what makes for a good or bad villain. A guaranteed way to make a bad villain is to have someone be evil because they read a book or touched an “ancien...

I had a weird, good feeling about this one, and boy did it pay off. I love this novel, and I love the way Hardinge makes all this happen. The intricate world of Caverna is not like any place I've ever "seen" in fantasy, but that's not why this is so good; it's in how all of it comes together, and how well-thought out interesting all the characters are. It's balanced, in i...