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The Buddies finally crack open an airport bookstore staple with James Patterson’s 1993 debut of Alex Cross, “Along Came a Spider.” The Buddies debate whether Cross is a devoted single dad or a hypocrite who hates the media right up until he needs a favor, why the D.C. police desperately needed a PR person, and who thought hypnotizing the defendant in the middle of a trial was a good idea. Plus, they dig into Patterson’s 300-book co-author empire, mount a passionate defense of Yorkshire pudding, and debate the merits of the egg-and-jelly omelette. So, stop saying “cool bean” and sneaking sneaking in the back door with Sampson, and instead join us to chat about an Alex Cross original. Intro (0:00-1:39) Stock Up/Down (1:40-34:23) Favorite Scene/Love/Hate (35:26-48:29) Movie/TV Show Discussion (48:30-51:28) Conclusion (51:29-53:45)    NEXT BOOK: Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

The Buddies are in the cutting room this week for Rough Cuts, the brand-new comedy from Glenn R. Miller, and the author himself stops by to talk shop. Set in the 1920s, the story pits a Hollywood director chasing his legacy against a young Ohio minister who’s just been handed the power to censor movies. Glenn tells the story behind the story, which starts with a box of real censorship cards found in his mother-in-law’s attic. The Buddies talk satire, silent film, and how every page of this book has a joke. They also look up too many fancy words, argue about oatmeal, and debate communion wine during Prohibition. Press play, and don’t censor yourself.   Intro (0:00-0:49) Interview (0:53-32:09) Post Interview Discussion (33:13-50:16) NEXT BOOK: Along Came a Spider by James Patterson

The Buddies head down under for Sally Hepworth's darkly compelling "Mad Mabel". The Buddies had a lot of questions after reading the newly released mystery/dark-comedy. Namely: How old does a child need to be to take accountability for their actions? What makes a good/bad neighbor, and what is the definition of ‘dark humor’. Find out the answers to all of this and more on this weeks podcast. So, pack your umbrella and some tissues, we guarantee you’ll be Mad/you are Mad if you miss this one.  Intro (0:00-2:38) Stock Up/Down (2:39-38:37) Favorite Scene/Love/Hate (38:38-53:24) Casting the Movie (53:25-54:26) Conclusion (54:27-58:22)    NEXT BOOK: Along Came a Spider by James Patterson

The Buddies venture into the children's section for Brian Jacques' 1986 classic "Redwall," and immediately wonder how a book like this was ever considered for kids. Good for the librarians for recommending a book that has more death in it in one chapter than most ‘young adult’ books have in a whole series. On this ep, the Buddies got into discussing whether Matthias should have just stayed home and helped defend the abbey instead of obsessing over a sword that turns out to be completely non-magical, why Constance the Badger is the real hero of the whole book, and whether Cluny the Scourge is actually a terrifying warlord or just a large rat with good intimidation skills and a very cool outfit. So practice your broken English sparrow dialect, keep an eye on the gate, and join us as we discuss a book that’s a kids version of Game of Thrones.   Intro (0:00-2:37) Stock Up/Down (2:38-25:02) Favorite Scene/Love/Hate (25:03-43:24) Conclusion (43:25-46:16)    NEXT BOOK: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

The Buddies escape into Gillian Flynn's 2012 psychological thriller "Gone Girl". The Buddies tried to lighten the mood after reading this dark twist-and-turny book. They got to debating about Amy’s parents and if they could have avoided raising a psychopath, the extremely short shelf life of eggs Benedict, and whether Desi Collings is a romantic hero or just a guy who watched The Notebook one too many times. So hide your frozen vomit, practice your treasure hunt clues, and join us for a pod that asks: which is harder, being poor for 10 days or framing your husband for murder? Intro (0:00-0:52) Stock Up/Down (0:53-41:19) Favorite Scene/Character (42:22-51:04) Love/Hate (51:05-58:27) Conclusion (58:28-1:03:34)    NEXT BOOK: Redwall by Brian Jacques

The Buddies take a detour from sword and sorcery for their first nonfiction read in a while with Patrick Radden Keefe's "London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City, and a Family's Search for Truth." By the way, it’s ‘London Falling’ and not ‘London is Falling’ the Gerard Butler action movie, although the Buddies may have stated that as the title on multiple occasions. The Buddies got to talking about whether Zac Brettler deserves our sympathy or was just a 19-year-old con man who got in over his head, how the British government basically rolled out the red carpet for Russian oligarchs and then acted surprised when people started dying, and whether this whole story could have been wrapped up with a simple Google search. This one got a bit contentious (sorry we’re used to arguing about fiction, not real people). So, brush up on your shell company law, don your investigative hat, and join us we jump into the underground world of London (unfortunately we’re not talking Knockturn Alley from Harry Potter).    Intro (0:00-2:38) Stock Up/Down (2:39-49:27) Love/Hate (50:30-59:44) Conclusion (59:45-1:02:42)  NEXT BOOK: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The Buddies close the book on Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy with "The Last Argument of Kings," the grim dark finale that answers the age-old question: what if the Manhattan Project was run by a thousand-year-old wizard who doesn't care if you live or die? The Buddies debate whether Jezal is just Vichy France with better PR, how to weaponize ‘biological control theory’ against your enemies, and if king sized beds are a misnomer. So sharpen your swords and Logan-isms, get ready to stand your ground one last time as the Buddies finish up the trilogy and say goodbye to the Bloody-Nine, Glokta, Ferro, Jezal, West, and Bayaz. Intro (0:00-1:11) Stock Up/Down (1:12-36:40) Favorite Scene/Character (36:41-46:11) Love/Hate (46:12-58:07) Casting the Movie (58:08-1:02:16) Conclusion (1:02:16-1:04:58)  NEXT BOOK: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

The Buddies return to Joe Abercrombie's grim dark world for "Before They Are Hanged," the second book in the First Law trilogy. The Buddies debate whether getting your face smashed in with a mace is the ultimate character development, how useless corporate leadership seminars actually are beneficial, and if chivalry is indeed not dead. So, bring your north man mentality, practice your nose-biting techniques, and join us and all our Buddies from last time: The Bloody-Nine, Bayaz, Jezal, Ferro, Glokta and many more! Intro (0:00-1:54) Stock Up/Down (1:55-31:06) Favorite Scene/Character (31:07-41:18) Love/Hate (41:19-48:49) Conclusion (48:50-52:22)  NEXT BOOK: Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie

The Buddies read the not-so-fiction feeling dystopian classic "1984" by George Orwell this week. The Buddies chat about the good life of being a Prole (drunk, happy, and blissfully ignorant), every day double-think, and how Gen Alpha speak and Newspeak are the same. So grab your victory gin, practice your doublethink, and join us for a pod that asks: would you rather be tortured with rats or buried alive with snakes? Intro (0:00-1:36) Stock Up/Down (1:37-32:16) Favorite Scene/Character (32:17-34:15) Love/Hate (34:16-44:27) Listener Mail/Lingering Questions (44:28-49:43) Conclusion (49:44-53:59)  NEXT BOOK: Before They Are Hanged  by Joe Abercrombie

The Buddies blast off for an emergency pod to discuss the 2026 film adaptation of Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary," starring Ryan Gosling as the loneliest, most attractive genius in space. The Buddies had read the book way back on episode 23, so this was a trip down memory lane. Much of their discussion centered around Gosling's character wardrobe choices, his likeability, and if him being unable to get a date is the most unrealistic part of a movie about alien rock spiders and sentient microbes eating the sun. They also got to their normal cadence of bringing up references to Austin Powers' unfreezing sequence, contemplating whether this is all a Total Recall scenario, and referencing a number other movie comparisons. So, ‘fist my bump,’ and join us for a podcast that promises to be as enjoyable as the movie (maybe).   Intro (0:00-1:50) Stock Up/Down (1:51-28:49) Favorite Scene (28:50-32:44) Love/Hate (32:45-35:45) Lingering Questions (35:46-39:10) Conclusion (39:11-41:14)  NEXT BOOK: 1984 by George Orwell

The Buddies crack open David Sedaris's "Me Talk Pretty One Day," a collection of essays about his childhood, being an artist, and speaking French. Or as the Buddies characterized it, ‘Bohemian Bill Simmons without the basketball references.’ The Buddies navigate through stories about terrible dads, fancy French dinners, and the eternal struggle of learning adjectives in Paris while desperately missing going to the movies. They got to talking about judging people, the Walkman, and debate the merits of crystal meth addiction. Want a quick read, and fun book to open up while at your in-laws (or on the toilet), well look no further, join the Buddies as we also try and talk pretty one day.   Intro/Book Report (0:00-2:01) Stock Up/Down (2:02-35:45) Favorite Store (35:46-38:37) Love/Hate/Reviews (38:38-46:22) Conclusion (46:23-49:06)  NEXT BOOK: 1984 by George Orwell

The Buddies dive into Tana French's "The Searcher”, a book that proves the worst midlife crisis decision isn't buying a Ferrari, it's moving to a shack in rural Ireland to escape your problems. This one had all the elements of a Western noir transplanted to the Irish countryside. The Buddies got into discussing a few topics around cookie-stealing neighbors , what phrases start fights (add "Sunny Jim" to the list), living by a code (Omar from The Wire style), and if you should automatically assume a character a figment of the main characters imagination in any thriller. So pour yourself a nice Irish whisky, practice your Irish brogue, and join the other Buddies who cozy up by the fire to read The Searcher.    Intro/Book Report (0:00-3:36) Stock Up/Down (3:37-30:17) Favorite Scene/Character (30:18-35:27) Love/Hate/Casting the Movie (35:28-43:06) Conclusion (43:07-45:10)  NEXT BOOK: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

The Buddies dive into James Islington's ambitious sequel "The Strength of the Few" – a book that takes "go with the flow" to a whole new level when you lose an arm AND get transported to three different worlds simultaneously. This one had all the elements of a kick-ass sequel: distinct worlds, epic fantasy elements, and tea that makes broken legs feel like a light jog. The Buddies got to chatting about whether this was better than the first book, The Will of the Many, how chariot racing has never been relevant and still isn't, and insults that keep you up at night. So steep your tea, practice your one-armed spear fighting, and join us we immerse ourselves back into the (three) world(s) of The Strength of the Few.    Intro (0:00-2:21) Stock Up/Down (2:22-36:28) Favorite Scene/Character (36:29-42:40) Love/Hate/Lingering Questions (42:41-54:39) Conclusion (54:40-57:31) NEXT BOOK: The Searcher by Tana French

The Buddies tackle James Islington's "The Will of the Many," a fantasy novel that's been described as "Red Rising meets Magic School" but turned out to be more like "Tenant in a pyramid scheme." The Buddies dove into a world where people literally give up their will to power society, while the rich kids attend prestigious schools and play extreme capture-the-flag. In this episode the Buddies debated many topics including: whether naked fighting is the ultimate power move,  the merits of getting knocked unconscious to time travel, and if this book series is going to be more like Lost season 1 or the Mistborn series. So join us as we grease ourselves up, and fire at Will into The Will of the Many.   Intro/Book Report (0:00-4:55) Stock Up/Down (4:56-38:57) Favorite Scene/Character (38:58-43:21) Love/Hate (43:22-53:41) Conclusion (53:42-56:32) NEXT BOOK: The Strength of the Few by James Islington

The Buddies were lucky enough to have author TJ Derry on the pod to talk about his debut thriller, Carried Away. A book that starts as a dreamy Indonesian surf vacation and ends with them questioning every outdoor activity they've ever considered. The Buddies dove into the book and many other topics with TJ and finished things off with their patented podcast categories.  So pack your trusty flint, some iced cold beers, and strap in for an amazing debut novel and thrill ride.  Intro/Book Report (0:00-1:08) TJ Derry Interview (1:09-50:31) Stock Up/Down (50:32-1:06:19) Favorite Scene/Character (1:06:20-1:14:31) Love/Hate (1:14:32-1:23:21) Conclusion (1:23:33-1:25:53) NEXT BOOK: The Will of the Many by James Islington