The Radcracker Podcast

I finished "The Fellowship of the Ring" this morning and it got me thinking about how hard Tolkien worked to create something loved by millions... which is now threatened by hundreds.

The worst thing a book can be is boring, the second worst is predictable.

New year, new(ish) car, new focus! Here's a look back and a look forward all in one. Thank you for listening, I love you all, see you out there!

Some thoughts on Christmas books as we head into the holiday!

Yeah I've got a lot of stuff merging in my brainwaves today.

Catching up on books and stuff.

Somewhat spoilery, and so freaking good! Watch and listen!

I got to take a walk on the Appalachian Trail for a very brief stretch. It got me thinking.

I do. That series was my crack in middle school. Here's what I remember, I'm gonna dive back in!

See what I did there...yeah not clever ANYWAY I heard about Dashner's "The Maze Runner" back in 2006, and watched it go through all the steps until it hit bookstores in 2009. Here's the story.

Did you know that Andy Serkis narrated a new recording of The Hobbit, as well as the LOTR trilogy?

A review of "A Stranger Among Saints" by Jonathan Mack, and some thoughts on stuff.

Updates on reading and writing in the world of Graham.

Schaara and I discuss what we loved about DUNE (the novel) and DUNE (the new movie.) Much fun ensues, along with a few killer jokes about the Middle East. Let's ride!

Short answer is kinda. Here's what worked and what didn't.

These books were awesome when I was a kid, and some of the plots have stuck with me 30 years later. I've got some ideas as to why.

One of my all-time favorite authors died this week. Here's what his books have meant to me throughout my life.

My two cents on the latest historical novel by the guy who wrote The Revenant

This one has been bugging me for years. Here's why the ending to Shusterman's Scythe series SUCKED.

Let's put this dumb notion to bed.

I saw "The Lost Boys" for the first time, and watched "Hocus Pocus" with my kids. These movies still work compared to a lot of modern stuff, here is why.

I used an expression the other day and didn't elaborate on what that meant, here's an explanation 👍

2019's KNIVES OUT was a really fun movie to watch, but after a second viewing I noticed some things that had bugged me the first time around. Check it.

My review of Pike's newest release from earlier this year

The Rocketeer, Hidalgo, Captain America, and Jumanji! All these movies have something in common...with Jurassic Park 3.

DANDELION WINE and FAREWELL SUMMER by Ray Bradbury

I was 17 when it happened and I'm 37 now. What's the lesson of the post-9/11 world? I've got some thoughts.

Hey gang! It's been a year or so, what say we revamp the BTBC and switch gears a little? Regular content is inbound once again, and today I've got some thoughts on an old Lindsey Stirling album!

Join Schaara and I as we wrap up this show with a few books we haven't yet gotten to. Drive safe, see you out there!

I'm joined by my three children as we talk about childrens' books we have enjoyed.

A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille; The Lincoln Hypothesis and The Pilgrim Hypothesis by Timothy Ballard; Fallen Founder by Nancy Isenberg; Blacklisted by History, by M. Stanton Evans

Sons of Liberty by the Lagos Brothers, The Midnight Society: The Black Lake by Drew Edward Johnson, Lady Mechanika by Joe Benitrz, Bone by Jeff Smith, Ruinworld by Derek Laufman, and Farmhand by Rob Guillory

"Silver State Monsters" by David Weatherly

"Starship Grifters" by Rob Kroese, and "Ctrl Alt Revolt" by Nick Cole.

Mailbag!!! Plus "Salt, Sweat, and Tears" by Adam Rackey. Become a Patron! www.patreon.com/dreadpennies

Mailbag from Kayden and Case, plus "Reagan in His Own Hand" and its companion audiobook, "Reagan in His Own Voice." Written by Kiron K. Skinner, edited by Annelise Anderson and Martin Anderson. Become a Patron! Www.patreon.com/dreadpennies

Mailbag strikes again! Shout out to Kristin, Kitty, and Pearl, thanks for writing in! Today we discuss Artemis Fowl, the good book and the lousy movie. If you want to write in to the show, hit up DreadPennies@gmail.com. And become a Patron! www.patreon.com/dreadpennies

Mailbag! Plus "Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus" by Orson Scott Card, and "Here, There Be Dragons" by James A. Owen. Become a Patron! www.patreon.com/dreadpennies

"Escape from Fire Mountain" by Gary Paulsen and "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry, plus some mailbag!

Why We Drive by Matthew Crawford, and Mecha Samurai Empire by Peter Tieryas

I am once again joined by my lovely wife Schaara to discuss the newest Hunger Games novel, THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES! Spoilers ahead!

"More" by Monique Berish, and a special announcement for the next few months. Check out the "Welcome to the Faro" Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

The Dinosaur Artist by Paige William, Brand of the Warlock by Rob Kroese

Titan, by Ron Chernow; Rough Riders, by Mark Lee Gardner; The Diamond of Jeru, by Louis L'Amour; and a mailbag!

Maxwell Cain: Burrito Avenger, by Adam Lane Smith. | Republic of Pirates, by Colin Woodard. | Hellhound on my Trail by DJ Butler. | Pivot Point, by Kasie West. | Brave Companions, by David McCullough

Four Seasons in Rome, Anthoney Doerr      | The Quick and the Dead, Louis L’Amour     | The Call of the Wild, Jack London | A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Mark Twain

Dinotopia, by James Gurney

Stillness is the Key, Ryan Holiday.       | Gunpowder & Embers, Ringo/Ezell/Smith.     | Wettest County in the World, Matt Bondurant       | Empire of Silence, Christopher Ruocchio (ep44) | MH Nemesis, Larry Correia. (Ep29)     | Washington Hypothesis, Timothy Ballard.      

Pirates of Pangaea, by Dan Hartwell and Neill Cameron     | CyberFrog, by Ethan Van Sciver | Clockwork Scott, by Aprilynne Pike and Ashley Moore     | All You Need is Kill, by Hiroshi Sakurazaka | The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane   | Soldier's Heart, by Gary Paulsen

Battle Chasers, by Joe Madureira     | Primordial Threat, by M.A. Rothman     | Mystwick School of Music Craft, by Jessica Khoury        | Mistaken Reality, by Traci Hunter Abramson     | Stalking the Unicorn, by Mike Resnick.

Interview with the Robot, by Lee Bacon. | The Lady and the Highwayman, by Sarah M. Eden | Late Bloomers, by Rich Karlgaard. | Hillbilly Elegy, by JD Vance

J.R.R. Tolkien's oldest son and the shepherd of the literary Empire died this week. I share my thoughts on his work, and a list of what I've read this month.

"Anansi Boys" by Neil Gaiman

Strap in for a huge episode where we look back at this year, I make three recommendations, and we plug in the GPS for 2020!

"This Is Not A Game" by Walter Jon Williams, and "The Dragons of Dorcastle" by Jack Campbell

"Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans" by Brian Kilmeade, and "True Grit" by Charles Portis

"Galaxy's Edge" by Nick Cole and Jason Anspach, "Battlefield Earth" by L. Ron Hubbard

New adventures!

"Beastly" and "Cloaked" by Alex Flinn

"The Candy Cane Caper" by Josi S. Kilpack, "Detroit Christmas" by Larry Correia, and "Sleigh Rides, Jingle Bells, and Silent Nights" by Ronald D. Lankford

17 books holy crap read them all!!!!

"Lt. Terry's Christmas Fudge" by Gerald N. Lund and "Christmas By Accident" by Camron Wright

"Shop Class As Soulcraft" by Matthew B. Crawford, and "The Appearance of Power" by Tanner Guzy.

An audio narration of the "Mister Friday" trilogy by Graham Bradley. Contains all three installments, including "Black Friday," "Cyber Monday," and "The Game Goes On."

"A Princess of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs, "John Carter and the Gods of Hollywood" by Michael Sellers

"Nowhere Girl" by A.J. Paquette and "Shadows Beneath" by the Writing Excuses podcast

Some mailbag questions, books I read in 2013, and fostering a healthy work environment.

"The Cunning Man" by DJ Butler and Aaron Michael Ritchey, "Tom Stranger: Interdimensional Insurance Agent" by Larry Correia.

"Dumb Criminals and Overeager Cops" by Zachariah Parry, "How to Become A Federal Criminal" by Mike Chase, and "A Night Divided" by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Quick episode today. Arrividerci, Turdwater.

"The Lunar Chronicles" by Marissa Meyer, consisting of "Cinder," "Scarlet," "Cress," "Fairest," and "Winter."

"Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford, "Mayflower" by Nathaniel Philbrick, "The Mayflower and Her Passengers" by Caleb H. Johnson, "Squanto" by Charles River Editors, and "Brian's Winter" by Gary Paulsen.

You can be healthier as a trucker. Do it.

"Snapshot" by Brandon Sanderson and "Drawing Out The Dragons" by James A. Owen.

"Woodsong" and "Woods Runner" by Gary Paulsen

14 books and a true story about driving my truck through a crew of zombies!

"When" by Victoria Laurie, and "Life After Theft" by Aprilynne Pike. Bonus reference for "The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Orczy.

"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand and "Beowulf" by Anonymous, translated by Seamus Heaney.

"I Am Not A Serial Killer" by Dan Wells, and "The Screaming Staircase" by Jonathan Stroud.

"Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things" by Ted Naifeh, and "Everlost" by Neal Shusterman.

Blowing up stuff for fun and profit.

"Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury, and "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke

"The Stress of Her Regard" and "Alternate Routes" by Tim Powers

Don't make someone else handle your mess.

"Steelheart", "Firefight", "Calamity", from the Reckoners series by Sanderson.

"The Wish List" by Eoin Colfer, and "Skulduggery Pleasant" by Derek Landy.

"Spell Check" by Julie Wright and "The Halloween Tree" by Ray Bradbury

14 books in all, most of them good.

"Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs and "Faithful Place" by Tana French.

Josie meets a man called Crowe, and he's got some questions about the book in her mom's coffee shop.  Sleepless Hollow arrives 10/4 on Amazon!

Today I talk about being a trucker and a writer, and the larger life lessons on forward progress. If the wheels aren't turning, you're not earning.

Meet Silas Proctor, ghost and protector of Sleepy Hollow! What's his connection to Josie? Hmmm...

"Hood," "Scarlet," and "Tuck" by Stephen R. Lawhead. The best version of the Robin Hood legend out there.

The entire first chapter from my forthcoming novel, SLEEPLESS HOLLOW! It will launch on 10/4/2019, and I hope you all grab a copy. Enjoy!

That's the title of "I, Robot" in Spanish. Let's chat about Isaac Asimov and the Three Laws of robotics!

Today! 3 different times I drove my truck onto an airfield, including the time I got buzzed by a fighter jet.

"Guts" by Gary Paulsen and "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

"Fablehaven" and the follow-up series, "Dragonwatch" by Brandon Mull. Guest-starring my wife!

From May to August of 2018, I put 10000 miles on a work truck by hauling boxes of contaminated dirt to a dump. All. Day. Long

"The Accidental Highwayman" by Ben Tripp, and "Woven" by David Powers King and Michael Jensen

"Confessions of a D-List Supervillain" by Jim Bernheimer, and "Bonehead" vol. 1 by Bryan Hill and Rhoald Marcellius

I have driven every mile of the I-5 in America.

The Bartimaeus series, by Jonathan Stroud! Includes "The Amulet of Samarkand," "The Golem's Eye," "Ptolemy's Gate," and "The Ring of Solomon."

"Prey," "Next," and "State of Fear" by Crichton.

10 books this month.

I've had 2.5 good dispatchers and a truckload of crappy ones. Buckle up, brother truckers!

Let's go through EVERYTHING I READ IN 2018 HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

OSHA, MSHA, UITC, and more! These are the safety standards for construction, mining, oil, and how they work.

"Brother Frankenstein" by Michael Bunker and "The Revenant" by Michael Punke.

Today we are joined again by my cosmically hot wife to discuss the entirety of Brandon Sanderson's MISTBORN series. Here we go!

Where do you eat? How much do you work? HOW DO YOU WEAPONIZE BODILY FLUIDS?! All this and more in the inaugural mailbag!

"Eragon" by Christopher Paolini and "Mysteries of Cove" by J Scott Savage

"Congo," "Sphere," and "Timeline" by Michael Crichton.

Here's an insight into working in oil refineries as a trucker.

"Elantris" by Brandon Sanderson and "Warbreaker" by also that dude

"The Princess Bride" by William Goldman and "As You Wish" by Cary Elwes

I made two round trips to Mordor in a week. It was rough.

9 more books read in July.

"Witchy Eye" and "Witchy Winter" by D.J. Butler, and "Looking for Calvin & Hobbes" by Nevin Martell

"Off to Be the Wizard" by Scott Meyer, "Jumper" and "Wildside" by Steven Gould, "Outland" by Dennis E. Taylor

My favorite adventure from the Brimstone days.

"Undaunted" by Gerald N. Lund and "Unforgettable" by Eric James Stone

"Arena Mode" by Blake Northcott, "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, and "Red Rising" by Pierce Brown

I got to jump in a reservoir in my work clothes.

"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown, and "Unbroken" by Lauren Hillenbrand

"Bloody Jack" by LA Meyer and "Powder Monkey" by Paul Dowswell

Don't be like Bob.

"Atomic Robo" by Brian Clevinger and "Skullkickers" by Jim Zubkavich

"The End of Night" by Paul Bogard and "Extreme Makeover" by Dan Wells

In trucking, everything is your fault. But in blasting, that can be...massaged a little.

"1776" by David McCullough and "George Washington's Secret Six" by Brian Kilmeade

"Sleeping Giants," by Sylvain Neuvel

What I read in the month of June 2019

"Calvin" by Martine Leavitt and "The Hollow City" by Dan Wells

"Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography" by David Michaelis.

Let's talk about blast crew.

A long list of good reads to fill the dog days of summer.

I'm taking a brief hiatus from the podcast to focus on the needs of a family member. I appreciate your understanding. Thank you, fellow brethren of the truck.

"The United States of Japan" by Peter Tieryas, and "The Only Thing to Fear" by Caroline Tung Richmond

"1491," "1493," and "The Wizard and the Prophet" by Charles C. Mann

I read 19 books this month. Yikes. But a lot of them were good!

You've never heard of this town until now. I guarantee it.

"The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss and "Empire of Silence" by Christopher Ruocchio

"Flags of our Fathers" by James Bradley

"Tetris" by Box Brown, and "The Supernaturalist" by Eoin Colfer

"The Last Lost World" by Stephen & Lydia Pyne, and "American Monster" by Paul Semonin.

My carrier paid me extra to go into Canada, so I went as often as possible.

"Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose, and "Uncharted" by Kevin J. Anderson & Sarah Hoyt.

"Scythe" and "Thunderhead" by Neal Shusterman.

Hauling potatoes, gypsum, and hay for fun and profit. Lol really just profit. Lol really just for hauling oh man I am so sad.

"Arsenal" by Jeffrey Haskell and "Ex-Heroes" by Peter Clines

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie, and "Quiet" by Susan Cain. Extroverts v introverts.

I was out from under my trainer's thumb and flying free on the American highways!

"His Majesty' Dragon" (Temeraire) by Naomi Novik, and "Hard Magic" (Grimnoir) by Larry Correia.

Nine more books in the...books.

"Area 51" by Annie Jacobsen and "Dry" by Neal & Jarrod Shusterman

"The Likeness" by Tana French, and "Truman" by David McCullough

"Lemon Tart" by Josi Kilpack and "Call the Midwife" by Jennifer Worth

My four-week training run in 2013 was a grueling sprint across 28 states. Here's how it worked.

"On Stranger Tides" by Tim Powers, and "Pirate Latitudes" by Michael Crichton.

Get inundated with Spain books! "History of Spain: Land on a Crossroads" by Joyce E. Salisbury; "The Food of Spain" by Claudia Roden; "El Cid," by Anonymous; "The Adventures of Captain Alatriste," by Arturo Perez y Reverte.

What trucking school entailed, what I learned, and how it ended.

"The Paradise War" by Stephen R. Lawhead and "Icefall" by Matthew J. Kirby

"Monster Hunter International" by Larry Correia, and "The Cardturner" by Louis Sachar

The way that I ended up becoming a trucker was not perhaps the most glamorous. But I'm glad I did it.

"Dream of the Iron Dragon" by Rob Kroese, and "Skyward" by Brandon Sanderson.

Let's have us some airship adventures with "Airborn", "Skybreaker", and "Starclimber" by Kenneth Oppel.

Frigging FOURTEEN books this month

"Boneshaker" by Cherie Priest, and "Leviathan" by Scott Westerfeld.

You can read my short story, "The Lost City of Jarom," in Mormon Steampunk Vol.3, link below! Press Forward Saints (A Mormon Steampunk Anthology Book 3) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NSJMQBV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_tz6MCbSZ8367J

The Appalachian Trail is 2100 miles of wild and beautiful wilderness. "A Walk In The Woods" by Bill Bryson, and "North" by Scott and Jenny Jurek, will show two different approaches to hiking the whole thing.

"The Permission Society" by Timothy Sandefur and "The Buntline Special" by Mike Resnick.

"Sakura: Intellectual Property" is a cyberpunk novel about a rockstar android that gets hacked and turned into a killer assassin in a futuristic Japan, written by Zachary Hill, Patrick Tracy, and Paul Genesse. Then open your pores in the steam room with steampunk sensation "Mortal Engines" by Philip Reeve. There was a movie about it recently. Dig in!

Urban Fantasy is a lot of fun as a genre, and "The Dresden Files" is a great entry point.

The "Unwind" series by Neal Shusterman is a masterful mix of sci-fi, horror, and current events.

"My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George, and "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. Sometimes getting lost in the woods seems like the right idea.

"Hard Luck Hank: Screw The Galaxy" by Steven Campbell, and "We Are Legion, We Are Bob" by Dennis E. Taylor.

Quick rundown of my February reads, and a bit of griping about how Cliffjumper always dies.

Murder mysteries! "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith, and "In The Woods" by Tana French.

Big brick classics like "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo make great musicals. Also "Hamilton" by Ron Chernow.

"Education of a Wandering Man" and "Last of the Breed" by Louis L'Amour.

"Wired for War," a nonfiction by P.W. Singer, paired up with "Defy the Stars," YA sci-fi by Claudia Gray.

Valentine's Day is here, time for some saintly martyrdom! Wait, no, I meant romance novels. My hot wife joins us again to discuss Renee Collins, Janette Rallison, and Roseanna M. White.

Special guest host: my wife, Schaara! She joins me for a lively discussion about romance novels by Kasie West and Sarah M. Eden.

Old and busted: dealing meth. New hotness: dealing makeup. "Glitter" and "Shatter" by Aprilynne Pike.

Breaker 1-9, got another dispatch out to space, over. "Tabloid Reporter to the Stars" by Eric James Stone, and "Leviathan Wakes" by James S.A. Corey.

Just some numbers for y'all.

"Airman" by Eoin Colfer and "The Wright Brothers" by David McCullough

Michael Crichton was a doctor who wrote bestsellers and directed movies while he was creating TV shows and traveling the world holy CRAP. Let' talk about his three dinosaur books.

Read the "Mistborn" series by Brandon Sanderson. We'll talk about other big fantasy books too.

"Lexicon" by Max Barry, with a brief mention of another novel of his, "Jennifer Government."

Did you see "Passengers"? Me neither. But here are two books like it. "Caretaker" by Josie Russell "Zero-G" by Dan Wells

Currently on my third read-through of two books that I didn't like the first time! "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins, and "Son of the Black Sword" by Larry Correia.

Are there any good robot books out there? I'm still looking.

"The North Valley Grimoire" by Blake Northcott, and "Them: Why We Hate Each Other and How to Heal" by Ben Sasse.

The NFL playoffs just started, so here are some football books!

Usually when a book is adapted for the screen, the print version is still better. Here are some exceptions.

What I'm all about and what you can expect from this podcast.