The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast

This week, our two heroes journey across the wine-dark sea in search of their favorite epic reads. But first, they have to try to figure out what the heck that even means! Trevor and Paul discuss some of the criteria that make up an epic and have fun debating where the definition begins and ends. They also each bring five of their favorites for discussion (along with some honorable mentions, of co...

Sliding doors? Nesting dolls? A bolt of lightning from on high? Talking about the works of Cesar Aira isn't always an easy task - but it sure is fun! This week, we take a discursive and meandering journey through the wonderful worlds of this magical author, including listeners’ favorite books, passages and memories. We also announce the winner of our Salka Valka giveaway and share the details of o...

In this episode, Chris Wolak from the Book Cougars joins us for a wide ranging discussion of Willa Cather's A Lost Lady.   We discuss myths, disillusionment, the passing of the American West, victims of masculine heroics, the economic realities of women throughout history, and much more.   And don't miss our latest giveaway: a copy of Salka Valka, by Halldór Laxness! For complete shownotes, please...

Growing old is the subject of a lot of great literature. In this episode, Trevor and Paul discuss some of their favorite books (and one short story) about growing old. They also annouce who won the signed copies of Mark Haber's novels! For complete shownotes, please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter . If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes  Patreo...

You know those authors and books that you can’t seem to connect with … but also aren’t quite ready to give up on? In this episode, Paul and Trevor try to figure out why some books and authors are easy to ditch while others keep calling to us. They each share a few examples from their own shelves and offer some ideas on why they can’t quit them. They also unveil the three (!) winners of the New Dir...

This week, we’re joined by author and bookseller extraordinaire Mark Haber to chat about one of our favorite publishers: New Directions. Although Paul and Trevor can't compete with Mark’s ND tattoo, we can match his enthusiasm as we each share three of our favorite titles. Plus, there are not one, not two, but three bookish giveaways, so makes sure you listen in for details! Please sign up for The...

Please welcome Brian Berrett, Trevor's brother, back to The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast! Back, you ask? Yes! Brian started the original iteration of the podcast in 2012 with Trevor, and it's nice to have him back as a guest. In this episode we chat generally about loving books and then Brian shares three books with us. Please sign up for The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Newsletter . If you'd li...

The official start of summer is just around the corner, but with kids finishing school and Memorial Day in the past, it feels like summer is already here. Warmer weather, longer evenings, outdoor eating . . . it can be such a lovely time of year. In this episode, Paul and Trevor devote a good chunk to discussing summer reading in general and plans for our own hot months of 2022. And part of those...

If you're like us, sometimes you go buy a book you are so excited to read, only to then leave it unread on the shelf for . . . well, years maybe! In this episode Trevor and Paul look at some of their dustiest unread books.   Also, listen up for the winner of our short books episode giveaway!   If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes  Patreon . Visit our blog at http://mo...

This week, Paul and Trevor discuss short books (fiction): what makes them special? Which authors specialize in brevity? How have short books impacted our lives as readers?  We each share five or our favorites, as well as a ton of great listener recommendations. And be sure to stick around for a fun giveaway and a preview of an upcoming episode where we each assign the other a short novel. We hope...

If you're a bibliophile, what could be better than a book about books? This week, Trevor and Paul are joined by their good friend Simon Thomas to talk about their favorite novels set in the world of books, authors, libraries, and bookstores. We each choose three favorites, but we certainly don't limit our discussion to those nine choices. From Matilda and Bunnicula to Umberto Eco and Rose Macauley...

This week’s mega-episode is all about one of our very favorite authors. Trevor and Paul discuss Austen’s six major novels, chat about what makes her work so special and even take a crack at ranking their favorites!  We also share listener feedback about favorite title and chat about various adaptions, both good and bad.  And a special treat this week: an interview with Jane Austen scholar (and fan...

In this episode, Trevor and Paul discuss great literary years. What have been some of the most noteworthy bookish years so far? What made them so special? They also travel back 100 years to arguably the greatest literary year in history and explore the works that changed literature forever.  And they share readers‘ entries for the Archipelago Books contest and announce the lucky winner! If you'd l...

In this episode, Trevor and Paul spend some time talking about one of their favorite publishers, Archipelago Books. They each share three of their favorite Archipelago titles and talk about a few they want to read soon. This episode also includes an amazing giveaway that will supply one lucky winner with a year's worth of translated fiction! For a list of all Archipelago books, click here . For a...

This week, Trevor and Paul have a little fun with assigned reading. Yes, you heard that right! First they chat a bit about their histories with assigned reading, both in school and in reading groups, before diving into a couple of short stories they assigned each other. The second half of the episode is a deep dive into two stunning stories: "A Manual for Cleaning Women" by Lucia Berlin and "The I...

In this episode, Trevor and Paul chat about their criteria for a good comfort read: Nostalgia? Escapism? … Murder? They each share a few of their go-to comfort books, along with plenty of wonderful listener suggestions (a few of which might just surprise you). So grab a cup of tea or glass of wine and get ready to bolster your cozy TBR pile! Spoiler alert: You might want to have a pen and paper ha...

Why do you read fiction? This question might pop up every now and then, making us feel a need to justify one of our most treasured activities. We are delighted to have Ben O'Connell join us to discuss. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes Patreon . Visit our blog at mookseandgripes.com/reviews . Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail...

What books are being published in 2022 that raise the most questions? Paul and Trevor have been pondering and have come up with their top five questions for 2022. Also included at the start is a healthy dose of listener feedback! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes  Patreon . Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews . Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bib...

With 2021 coming to a close, Paul and Trevor look ahead to 2022 and make some reading . . . goals? Well, maybe not goals, per se, but they have some reading intentions. It's a fun conversation about reading plans, whether they like to make any reading plans at all, and, if so, what they like about reading plans even if they don't keep them. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and t...

Paul and Trevor continue to look back and talk about their favorite books they read in 2021.  This is Part 2, going through their 5 - 1. Episode 16 went through 10 - 6. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes  Patreon . Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews . Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com . This is a public e...

As 2021 comes to an end, Paul and Trevor look back and talk about their favorite books they read in 2021. These are not necessarily books published in 2021 but are, rather, the books they first read in 2021 that have left their mark.   This is Part 1, going through their 10 - 6. Next week's episode will go through 5 - 1. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes  Patreon ....

We're not experts, but we both love the poetry of Emily Dickinson. In this episode, we talk about some of her poetry and why it speaks to us.   Thanks to everyone who shared their favorite poems or memories of reading Emily Dickinson. We had a lot of great input, and we are excited to share. You made this episode a lot better than it would have been otherwise. If you'd like to support the show, vi...

As the holiday season arrives, Paul and Trevor sit down to make some reading plans. If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes  Patreon . Visit our blog at http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews . Follow us on Twitter @mookse and @bibliopaul. Email mookseandgripes@gmail.com . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus e...

There's something so inviting about a bookstore in November (or any time of year, really), so Paul and Trevor chat about that magic. What do they like in a bookstore? What are some of their favorite destinations?   Also in this episode we announce the winner of the NYRB Classics giveaway! If you'd like to support the show, visit The Mookse and the Gripes  Patreon . Visit our blog at http://mooksea...

In our Fall Books episode (#7), Paul said he'd like to read Shirley Jackson's second novel, Hangsaman, this season. Trevor went along for the ride, and the result is this special Halloween edition of The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast!   We do touch on spoilers later in the episode after some warning, so beware! Also, we have a bit of a false ending. After we said goodbye, we kept on talking about...