Paperback Friends

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...

What do we say about this one? Orwell is freaking cracked! If Homage to Catalonia is anywhere near as good as his other stuff; it has to be read – pronto! As for 1984 , what can I say honestly? It lives up to expectations. Dark, uncompromising and to the point (manifest parts excluded) this is simply amazing work. Orwell is not for everyone, and if you had to read this for school it might lessen h...

Veronica Maggio is a Swedish superstar. Her modern pop songs come swinging with a self-awareness that is both bleak and hopeful at the same time. In, ” Allt är för bra nu ”, Maggio shares some of her stories about how her songs came to be, and how Maggio came to be a household sledge hammer in the Swedish music scene. Although, most of the episode I just talk about her music – this being no-fictio...

My god, this one – Orwell you magnificent bastard I read you buuuuk! If you wanted me to rant and yell about how overrated this one is; I’m sorry to disappoint. I love what Orwell did in this one, and what he did in general in his writing (of what I’ve read anyway). Join me as we review Animal Farm , George Orwell’s brilliant novella. Type: Review | Book: Animal Farm | Writer: George Orwell

The old wind-bag Sam Ögren is at it again. Today I yell about why I get so angry at certain types of fiction. So, like every other episode then, huh? Jokes aside though, I try to discerning what I think suspension of disbelief is as well as attempt to describe what I mean when I say "world credibility." It comes up a lot in my reviews, so high time I really take the time to explain it. It’s up to...

Honestly, one of my better episodes; much closer to the quality that I want. Anyway, enough about me, so we are taking a peek at Clare Pooley’s The People on Platform 5 . What does Pooley have in store for us? Something quite heartfelt, but a bit too jolly at times. While this novel is neat, and works as a solid feel-good-story; the world could use a bit for edge to give it some bite. What’s there...

Alright, so less roofies in this one (it's a silly way to pronounce "rough"), but it still borders on the line of crimes against humanity. I'm pretty convinced Jasper T Scott is going on trial for that. He's in line after a few dictators, but he's up there! I kid, but man this series to a turn. Dark Space Universe - The Last Stand is the third and final book in this trilo...

My god this one is roofies. It’s really, really rough. It’s such a shame too because I thought, despite its many flaws, that the first book was not without merit. The action was better than most other novels I've read which is no small feat. Scott really had something going, but then it went terribly wrong… Let’s see if we can figure out what went wrong with this one, together. Type: Review | Book...

The more I think about it the less I dislike it, but the fact still remains; I don’t like this one very much. Despite this being from the same author who penned Stoner . Stoner , one of my absolute favorite books. A book that has become a staple for my podcast. Nothing but the Night , has some interesting ideas, and at times Williams exceptional writing shines through the thick, sticky “phantasmag...

In today’s episode we take a look at “mind control.” I truly hate this “plot device” for the lazy, hack writing that it is 99% of the time.   I yell in intricate detail about why I think this is stupid with examples for how it hurts a narrative, but also how I think you can get smelly mind control to actually work if it’s something you really want to use.   I’m not quite as coherent as I thought w...