The Book Pile

The longest Harry Potter book, and the only one that is named after a city in Arizona. We explore how the emotions of this book resonate so forcefully, why it pays off so effectively, and why Professor Umbridge is basically worse than Voldemort (fun fact, Stephen King called her, "...the greatest make-believe villain to come along since Hannibal Lecter").  Plus, Dave thinks the prophecy...

In Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker delivers an important message (“Get enough sleep!”) using a fascinating, innovative method (lying). Seriously, we were surprised to learn how thoroughly this book has been fact-checked. But we still think sleep is important! Plus, Kellen is tired of being harassed for being a night owl, and Dave wants you to help him be harder to trick. * To buy the book, Why We Sle...

Leonardo da Vinci is best known for saving Drew Barrymore in Ever After, leaving clues for Tom Hanks in The Da Vinci Code, and painting The Last Supper. Today’s episode follows the life of this true Renaissance man. But really, we think we've narrowed this fantastic 700 page book down to its best (and funniest) moments. Plus, Dave wants to shame you for not being as accomplished as Leonardo,...

George Orwell wrote 1984 while slowly dying of tuberculosis on a miserably cold island, and boy does it show! Today we cover his classic take on totalitarianism. Plus, Kellen finds his new home decor -- pneumatic tubes! -- and Dave talks about Orwell’s sad, painful life. * To buy the book, 1984 , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https://amzn.to/45cJbXy * TheBook...

In 7 Habits, Stephen Covey tries to trick you into being a better person by showing how it makes you better at business. No thanks! We prefer the Dale Carnegie method of sucking up to the powerful so we can drain them of resources like ravenous, insatiable tapeworms. (We’re only interested in 7 Habits if one of those habits is “grifting”.) Plus, Dave has a story about a dumb optometrist, and Kelle...

Today on The Book Pile, we’re pleased to launch the career of promising new author Jane Austen, whose novel Emma tells the story of a girl named Emma. (You can support Jane at her Patreon or via PayPal!) Plus, Kellen believes arguments make stories more interesting. (Counter-argument: no.) And Dave gives tips for breaking up your friend’s engagement. * To buy the book, Emma, or listen to it free o...

Tolkien is the first person to invent both a new genre (high fantasy) and a new type of person (the nerd). Before Tolkien, thousands of young geeks could only engage in their classic hobbies, like being sickly or dying of consumption. Plus, Dave has sympathy for orcs, and Kellen wishes Tolkien left in more details... * To buy the book, The Fellowship of the Ring , or listen to it free on Audible A...

Yes Please is the memoir of comedian Amy Poehler, which inspired us to write our own memoirs with similar titles. (Excuse Me by Kellen; Can you Pass the Salt? by Dave.) Plus, Kellen REALLY wants you to send him your movie script. And Dave is inspired by Conan O’Brien’s unrelenting self-cruelty. (He’s just like us!) * To buy the book, Yes Please , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the pod...

The Martian tells the story of an astronaut trying to survive alone on Mars, so why isn’t it called The Earthling? Huge let down! We thought there would be aliens! If you write a non-alien book, make that clear from the top and stop wasting our time. Plus, Kellen talks about how the author uses jokes to smuggle in information (instead of including aliens) and Dave is the one writing this descripti...

Want to create moments so memorable that you and loved ones remember them the rest of your lives (and you’ve already seen Kellen’s standup)? The Power of Moments teaches you how! Plus, Dave has a story about his Mom, and Kellen’s family has a new and potentially dangerous holiday tradition. * To buy the book, The Power of Moments , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click her...

A simple checklist can change your life. Don’t believe us? Then explain “Live Laugh Love”. Plus, Kellen makes fun of Johns Hopkins and Dave has an idea for police lineups. * To buy the book, The Checklist Manifesto , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https://amzn.to/3qolT26 * TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com * Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jim...

Essentialism is a book all about focus, so we gave it the one thing it was missing -- more tangents. Plus, Dave has a dark recurring dream, and Kellen finds a way to bring up his favorite topic -- his hatred of Ron Weasley. * To buy the book, Essentialism , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https://amzn.to/3QqEMwg * TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com * Kellen Erskine h...

In Moneyball , Michael Lewis discusses the most exciting part of baseball -- the front office! (Closely followed by hot dogs, box seats, bench-clearing fights, and when the game is canceled.) When Billy Beane broke with a century of traditional scouting methods, he turned one of the poorest franchises in baseball into a record-breaking team within two years. Plus Dave makes fun of baseball, and al...

In Invisible Women , Caroline Criado Perez talks about all the ways women are ignored by society. So we had an idea -- take the same message, but have it come from two men. Plus, Dave has thoughts on a Viking skeleton, and Kellen explores the world’s worst mascot. * To buy the book, Invisible Women , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https://amzn.to/45cYVdi * The...

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire raises the crucial question -- does Voldemort ever get embarrassed that he’s constantly beaten by a literal child? Like, imagine you had a reputation for being good at your job, and yet you keep getting beaten by an eighth-grader. You would be humiliated. Also, Kellen hates Ron Weasley, and Dave gets mushy. * To buy the book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...

  The Elements of Style is one of the most popular writing books of all time, so it seemed a natural fit for this, the most popular podcast of all time. Plus, Kellen believes “alright” is two words (he is technically right, but morally wrong). And Dave makes an Oprah quote worse. * To buy the book, The Elements of Style , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https:/...

In Deep Work, Cal Newport tells you how to get more work done (start with lip fillers or Botox). Plus, Kellen has a story about the world’s coolest juggler (not a competitive category), and Dave talks about the person he’s most ashamed to have hated. * To buy the book, Bears Want to Kill You , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https://amzn.to/47g9E8w * TheBookPil...

In World War Z , Max Brooks paints a well-researched picture of a zombie apocalypse, something we at The Book Pile take very seriously. Plus, Kellen talks about why this book doesn’t adapt well into a movie (just into a podcast!). And Dave says we should be nicer to preppers (because they have guns). * To buy the book, World War Z , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click he...

In Creativity, Inc. the cofounder of Pixar teaches lessons about creativity -- such as, every animated movie should emotionally devastate a child. Plus, Kellen knows a shocking amount about box office numbers, and Dave has a sad story about almost meeting Ed Catmull. * To buy the book, Creativity, Inc , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https://amzn.to/3DEBVIf *...

In Born Standing Up , special guest Matthew Broussard discusses Steve Martin’s memoir and the many lessons from standup comedy. (Steve, Matthew, and Kellen have over 43 years of standup experience between them.) (Dave has 0 but he is a very nice boy.) Plus, Kellen talks about the worst time he made fun of an audience, and Dave tells a story about horse-racing, just to let you know his life is trou...

In How to Win Friends and Influence People , Dale Carnegie teaches you how to view other humans as objects you can manipulate to get what you want. (We aren't fans.) Come hear us roast it! Plus, Kellen talks about sneaking past a talkative neighbor, and Dave has some news about Charles Manson and the Nazis. * To buy the book, How to Win Friends and Influence People , or listen to it free on A...

In Quiet , Susan Cain discusses the ways in which society undervalues and stigmatizes introverts. (Don’t tell them they’re quiet, they hate that.) Plus, Kellen tells about life as an introverted comedian, and Dave just sorta remains his loud, extrovert self. * To buy the book, Quiet , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https://amzn.to/44TCwlk * TheBookPilePodcast@...

Special guest Natalie Madsen joins to talk about the third Harry Potter book, and how to make your third creation just as successful as the first two (Nat has three kids). Plus Kellen airs his grievances with time travel, and Dave tells a sad story about Krispy Kreme. * To buy the book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!...

In Freakonomics , we learn how economics can improve your daily life and help you achieve your goals. (Like Kellen’s goal of a good financial future for his kids, and Dave’s goal of joining the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors.) Plus, Kellen talks about the things that will and won’t kill you, and Dave tells stories about comedians attacking dictators. * To buy the book, Freakonomics , or list...

In Pride and Prejudice , Jane Austen explores the challenge of finding love in a time when you weren't allowed to touch people. Plus, Kellen has strong feelings about the stakes in rom coms, and Dave loves Mrs. Bennet. * To buy the book, Pride and Prejudice , or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here! https://amzn.to/3DKSt1a * Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Co...