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Lit These Days

Lit These Days

By Lit These Days Podcast

Jessica and Adam give book recommendations to listeners and discuss the books they're reading.
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Currently playing episode

I Enjoy Books with Heavy Philosophy and Explicit Sex - Episode Thirteen

Lit These DaysJun 30, 2021

00:00
51:40
No Straight White Cisgender Authors Recommendations, Please - Episode Forty-Eight

No Straight White Cisgender Authors Recommendations, Please - Episode Forty-Eight

Books Discussed:

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

Branding Between the Ears by Sandeep Dayal

McSweeny’s Internet Tendency

Starkid - A Very Potter Musical

Starkid - Holy Musical Batman

Verity by Colleen Hoover

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

The Deep by River Solomon

Apr 20, 202228:32
Nonfiction and Fiction Pairings - Episode Forty-Seven

Nonfiction and Fiction Pairings - Episode Forty-Seven

If you would like a personalized reading recommendation, visit litthesedayspodcast.com.

Apr 13, 202237:13
Books for Tweens - Episode Forty-Six

Books for Tweens - Episode Forty-Six

If you would like a personalized reading recommendation, visit litthesedayspodcast.com.

Books discussed:

Monsters by Barry Windsor-Smith 

Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms by Shellye Archambeau 

The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokemon - The Story Behind the Craze That Touched Our Lives and Changed the World by Steven L. Kent 

The Existentialist's Survival Guide by Gordon Marino, PhD 

The Inkworld Series by Cornelia Funke 

The Bone Series by Jeff Smith 

Slacker by Gordon Korman

Mar 30, 202242:15
Books to Help You Find Your Way - Episode Forty-Five

Books to Help You Find Your Way - Episode Forty-Five

If you would like a personalized reading recommendation, visit litthesedayspodcast.com

Mar 23, 202241:12
Books Set in Ireland - Episode Forty-Four

Books Set in Ireland - Episode Forty-Four

Books Discussed:

Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup

Freakonomics by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt

You Don’t Know Us Negros and Other Essays by Zora Neale Hurston

Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

The Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle

The Wonder by Emma Donahue

Room by Emma Donahue

Mar 15, 202243:47
Books with Native American Characters - Episode Forty-Three

Books with Native American Characters - Episode Forty-Three

*Content warnings for self-harm, sexual assault, alcoholism, domestic violence, child abandonment, and in this episode*

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Dark Knight: A True Batman Story by Paul Dini

Something Terrible by Dean Trippe

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Prison Writings: My Life is my Sun Dance by Leonard Peltier

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Tess of the D’Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy

Feb 24, 202224:18
Humorous Reads - Episode Forty-Two

Humorous Reads - Episode Forty-Two

If you would like a personalized reading recommendation, visit our website at litthesedayspodcast.com

Feb 10, 202242:22
Our Second Guest!

Our Second Guest!

We're so excited to have our second guest, Riley Hennessy, on the podcast! He joins us to discuss his book, Queen of Angels.

Feb 03, 202228:26
Doorstopper Fantasy Novels - Episode Forty-One

Doorstopper Fantasy Novels - Episode Forty-One

We are not sponsored by http://budgetbytes.com/. Go to LitTheseDaysPodcast.com to request your free book recommendation.

Books discussed:

Verity by Colleen Hoover 

Unguarded by Scottie Pippen 

How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul by Ruth Soukup 

Animostiy 2-4 by Marguerite Bennet, Rafael de Latorre (Artist), Rob Schwager (Artist), Marshall Dillon (Artist) Addison Duke (Artist) 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke 

The City We Became by N. K. Jemison 

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Jan 18, 202259:03
Books with Unlikeable Main Characters - Episode Forty

Books with Unlikeable Main Characters - Episode Forty

We discuss a lot of books with content warnings in this episode. Content warnings for drug use, animal abuse, and gore.

If you would like a personalized reading recommendation, please visit litthesedayspodcast.com

Everybody Writes by Ann Handley

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr.

Queen of Angels by Riley Hennessey

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Misery by Stephen King

Unguarded by Scotty Pippen

Adele by Leila Slimani

The Country of Others by Leila Slimani

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Fletch by Gregory McDonald

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

Jan 11, 202248:48
Books to Get You Out of a Reading Slump - Episode Thirty-Nine

Books to Get You Out of a Reading Slump - Episode Thirty-Nine

Please fill out our book recommendation request form at litthesedayspodcast.com

Books Discussed:

Where Angels Fear to Tread by E.M. Forster

The Collected Tales of E.M. Forster

Henry Miller’s Book of Friends by Henry Miller

Post-Truth by Lee McIntyre

Nihilism by Nolan Gertz

Cynicism by Ansgar Allen

The Book by Amaranth Borsuk

Annotation by Remi H. Kalir

Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut

Oroonoko by Aphra Behn

The Little Book of Lost Words by Joe Gallard

Lou Reed: A Life by Anthony Decurtis

Piranesi by Susanna Clark

Dave Grohl The Storyteller

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin

The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufmann

Mom 100 by Haro Also and Kotaro Takata

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Literally any Robin Hobb book (check out PeruseProject on YouTube for reviews of her books)

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Red Room by Ed Piskor

Queen of Angels by Riley Hennesey

Sabrina and Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

The Best of Me by David Sedaris

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Little Feasts by Jules Archer.

Full review of Little Feasts: https://www.themarkliteraryreview.com/post/book-review-little-feasts-by-jules-archer

His Name is Cwiz by Jeremy Rhine

The Inexplicable Grey Space We Call Love by Chuck Augello

Dry by Augustin Burrows

Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

Jan 04, 202257:40
Books We're Excited to Read in 2022 - Episode Thirty-Eight

Books We're Excited to Read in 2022 - Episode Thirty-Eight

What are you excited to read in 2022? Are you looking for some recommendations? We give out free book recommendations every week! Would you like one? Fill out the form on our website: litthesedayspodcast.com.

Books Discussed:

Animosity Volume 1: The Wake by Marguerite Bennett, Mike Marts, Raael de Latorre

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

Ghost Jason Reynolds

The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufmann

A Room with a View by E.M. Forester

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

You Don’t Know Us Negros and Other Essays by Zora Neale Hurston

Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick by Zora Neale Hurston

All Marketers Tell Stories by Seth Godin

Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms and Space by Zoraida Cordova

Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms by Shellye Archambeau

Left on Tenth

Brightsided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking has Undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich

An Ember in the Ashes Sabaa Tahir

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Nickled and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Dec 28, 202150:51
Our Top Ten Books of 2021 - Episode Thirty-Seven

Our Top Ten Books of 2021 - Episode Thirty-Seven

Books discussed:

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller 

Akira, Volumes 1-6 by Katsuhiro Otomo, Toko Umezawa and Linda M. York (Translator) 

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Philips 

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides 

Zoo by James Patterson 

Maximillian Ride Series by James Patterson 

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas 

Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World by Matt Alt 

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett 

A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurriqib 

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry 

Kaiju Score by James Patrick, Rem Broo (Artist) 

The Dating Plan by Sarah Desai 

Parable of the Sower (Earthseed #1) by Octavia Butler 

His Name is Cwiz: Lessons from a Lifelong Friendship by Jeremy Rhyne 

A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood 

Helium by Rudy Francisco 

The Department of Truth, Vol. 1: The End of the World by James Tynion IV, Martin Simmonds (Artist) 

Karmen by Guillem March 

Miseducated by Brandon P. Fleming 

Evil Genuises: The Unmaking of America by Kurt Anderson 

Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History by Kurt Anderson 

You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor and Janina Matthewson 

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Dec 22, 202101:17:60
Audiobooks for People Who Don't Listen to Audiobooks - Episode Thirty-Six

Audiobooks for People Who Don't Listen to Audiobooks - Episode Thirty-Six

Please remember to ask us for a book recommendation! Go to Litthesedayspodcast.com to ask for one.

Books Discussed:

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas 

Under the Moon by Lauren Myracle 

Lore Olympus: Volume 1 by Rachel Smith 

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides 

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsay 

Everybody Writes by Anne Handley 

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid 

Kaijumaxx Season 4: Scaly is the New Black by Zander Cannon 

Lore by Alexandra Bracken The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken 

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote 

The Disaster Artist by Greg Sestero, Tom Bissell 

Miles: The Autobiography by Miles Davis, Quincy Troupe 

So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson 

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Dec 07, 202101:00:59
Ancient Plays, Anyone? Episode Thirty-Five

Ancient Plays, Anyone? Episode Thirty-Five

Jessica and Adam talk about the books they've finished, what they're currently reading, and give book recommendations to their listeners.

Follow us on Instagram @LitTheseDaysPodcast

Join our Discord: Discord.com/invite/xsrz5vAutd

Books discussed:

Night of the Living Dead by John Russo 

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas 

The Complete Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey 

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides 

Shake Loose My Skin by Sonia Sanchez 

October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Leslea Newman 

Helium by Rudy Francisco 

If My Body Could Speak by Blythe Baird 

A Fortune for Your Disaster by Hanif Abdurriqib 

Circe by Madeline Miller 

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller 

Lysistrata by Aristophanes 

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles 

Antigone by Sophocles 

The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O'Neill

Nov 30, 202142:27
Enemies to Lovers - Episode Thirty-Four

Enemies to Lovers - Episode Thirty-Four

Adam and Jessica discuss the books they've finished, what they're reading, and give enemies to lovers recommendations.

Nov 24, 202140:51
Books to Read at Stoplights - Episode Thirty-Three

Books to Read at Stoplights - Episode Thirty-Three

Books Discussed:

- Far Sector by N. K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell (Art)

 - Deperate Measures by Katie Roberts

 - Notes from Underground: Zines and the Politics of Alternative Culture by Stphen Duncombe 

- The Actual Star by Veronica Byrne

 - Songs in the Key of Z: The Curious World of Outsider Art by Irwin Chusid 

- The Guest List by Lucy Foley 

- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and Reg Keeeland (Translator) 

- Verity by Colleen Hoover 

- Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosely 

- Fearless Jones by Walter Mosely

Nov 16, 202152:19
Jess Offends Herself - Episode Thirty-Two

Jess Offends Herself - Episode Thirty-Two

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litthesedayspodcast/

Our Discord: https://discord.gg/xsRz5vAutd

Books Discussed:

Notes from Underground: Zines and the Politics of Alternative Culture by Stephen Duncomb  

Helium by Rudy Francisco  

4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman  

Smashed by Junji Ito  

Desperate Measures Katie Robert  

The Living Dead by George Romero and Daniel Kraus  

Songs in the Key of Z: The Curious Universe of Outsider Music by Irwin Chusid  

The Life of Edgar Allan Poe by William Fearing Gill  

A Great Unrecorded History: A New Life of E. M. Forster by Wendy Moffat 

Howard's End by E. M. Forster  

A Room with a View by E. M. Forster

Nov 10, 202101:01:04
A Table of Steamy Books - Episode Thirty-One

A Table of Steamy Books - Episode Thirty-One

Books Discussed

  • A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
  • No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai (Adapted by Junji Ito)
  • The Room by Herbert Selby Jr.
  • Everybody Writes by Anne Handley
  • Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
  • Out of Love by Hazel Hayes
  • Desperate Measures by Katee Roberts
  • Den of Vipers by K. A. Knight
  • Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest by Hanif Abdurraqib
  • 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
  • The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
  • A Slaying in the Suburbs: The Tara Grant Murder by Steve Miller and Andrea Billups
  • Lucky by Alice Sebold
  • The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan
Nov 02, 202101:02:07
Spooky Season Recommendations - Episode Thirty

Spooky Season Recommendations - Episode Thirty

Spooky season recommendations to get you in the mood for Halloween!

Oct 26, 202101:02:20
Swoonworthy Supernatural Reads - Episode Twenty-Nine

Swoonworthy Supernatural Reads - Episode Twenty-Nine

One of our listeners asked for swoon worthy supernatural reading recommendations! Oh yeah, Jessica was made for this one. 

Can you help us? We're looking for more people to ask us for book recommendations. You can ask us for a book that's similar to another you've read, for example. Maybe you're looking for something in a specific genre? Visit our website litthesedayspodcast.com to request a recommendation. And, if you're having trouble coming up with a question, you can visit our blog for inspiration.

Books discussed in this episode:

This Jade World by Ira Sukrungruang

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Scythe by Neal Schusterman

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

It Came from the Video Aisle: Inside Charles Band's Full Moon Entertainment Studio by David Jay, Torsten Dewi, and William Wilson

Circe by Madeline Miller

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

A Court of Honey and Ash by Kelly St. Clare and Shannon Mayer

You Feel it Just Below the Ribs by Janina Matthewson and Jeffrey Cranor

Yeats is Dead! a Mystery by Fifteen Irish Writers

Oct 19, 202127:41
Our First Guest! Episode Twenty-Eight

Our First Guest! Episode Twenty-Eight

We have our very first guest on the podcast! Olivia Dolphin, founder and editor-in-chief of Wizards in Space, talks about her upcoming release and the magic behind the literary magazine. 

Wizards in Space link: https://www.wizardsinspacemag.com

Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litthesedayspodcast/

Our Discord: https://discord.gg/xsRz5vAutd

Oct 12, 202131:37
Big Brain Power - Episode Twenty-Seven

Big Brain Power - Episode Twenty-Seven

Thanks for listening to us ramble about the books we’re reading! This week, Tucker asked for a super personal book recommendation that was challenging to answer! (But we love a good challenge.)

Follow us on Instagram @LitTheseDaysPodcast

Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xsRz5vAutd

Books Discussed:

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

A Boy Named Christmas by Matt Haig

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

Skeleton Creek #1 by Patrick Carmen

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

The Giver by Lois Lawry

Among the Hidden Margaret Haddeaux-Peterson

This Jade World by Ira

Miles on Miles

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar

Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Marulo

Glue by Irvin Welsh

Oct 05, 202138:47
The Next 1984? Episode Twenty-Six

The Next 1984? Episode Twenty-Six

Thanks for listening! Adam and Jessica talk about the books they finished, what they're currently reading, and they give recommendations to their listeners. This week, our listener is looking for a gothic novel that's set in modern day.

Our Instagram - @LitTheseDaysPodcast

Our Discord - https://discord.gg/byq5aTWc

Books Discussed:

You Feel It Just Below the Ribs

A Clockwork Orange

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Looking for Alaska

It’s Kind of a Funny Story

The Millionaire Real Estate Agent

Miles on Miles: Interviews with Miles Davis

This Jade World

His Name is Cwiz

Mexican Gothic

Daughters of the Lake

The Shining

The Death of Mrs. Westaway

One By One

Horrorstor

Ninth House

Sep 29, 202140:25
BOOOOOOOOOAT - Episode Twenty-Five

BOOOOOOOOOAT - Episode Twenty-Five

Adam and Jessica talk about the books they're reading and give book recommendations to someone who wants a read-alike for The Midnight Library! If you want a personalized reading recommendation, visit litthesedayspodcast.com and fill out the quick form.

Our Instagram: @LitTheseDaysPodcast

Our Discord: https://discord.gg/byq5aTWc

Books Discussed:

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Mobile Suit Gundam by Yoshiyuki Tomino

Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo

You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Janina Matthewson and Jeffrey Cranor

The Trouble with Authority: A Psychological Memoir and Field Guide on How to Survive the Maddening Erratic Behavior of Mankind by Joseph D. Reich

Three Philosophies and One Reality & NHK Radio Talks by Gudo Wafu

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

Karmen by Guillem March

The Immortalists Chloe Benjamin

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Sep 22, 202156:44
Contemporary Romance is the Cure for Sadness - Episode Twenty Four

Contemporary Romance is the Cure for Sadness - Episode Twenty Four

We're looking for more people to ask us for book recommendations! Visit litthesedayspodcast.com and fill out the quick form :)

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/aeJHvHDb

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @litthesedayspodcast

Books in this episode:

The Midnight Library

Neon Genesis Evangelion

A Little Life

Her Royal Spyness

Outside Lies Magic

Adam's Navel

An Ember in the Ashes

The Heart Principle

The Kiss Quotient

The Bride Test

The Dating Plan

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

The City We Became

Lincoln and the Bardo

The Dark Tower Series

Weave World

Foundryside

Sep 15, 202151:52
Zen Buddhism, Punk Rock, and Men in Rubber Monster Suits - Episode Twenty Three

Zen Buddhism, Punk Rock, and Men in Rubber Monster Suits - Episode Twenty Three

Thanks for listening to us ramble about books!

Recommendation question: "I'm really craving a good family saga story. Maybe along the lines of Ask Again, Yes or Saints for All Occasions or the Dearly Beloved."

Books Discussed:

Black Sun

The Deep

The Midnight Library

Letters to a Dead Friend about Zen

Everything is Figure-outable

Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess

Sit Down and Shut Up

We Are the Brennans

Middlesex

The Virgin Suicides

The Marriage Plot

Of Women and Salt

The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay

Sep 08, 202153:27
Superhero Punch Punch Pow Pow - Episode Twenty Two

Superhero Punch Punch Pow Pow - Episode Twenty Two

Thanks for listening to us ramble about the books we're currently reading! Here's the recommendation question we answered in this episode:

"I'm really craving a good family saga story. Maybe along the lines of Ask Again, Yes or Saints for All Occasions or the Dearly Beloved."

If you would like a personalized reading recommendation, visit litthesedayspodcast.com to request one!

Books Discussed:

Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

X-O Manowar created by Jim Shooter, Steve Englehart, Bob Layton, and Barry Windsor-Smith

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

The Borrowers Afield by Mary Norton

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

The Nice House on the Lake by James Tynion IV

Death by Discount by Mary Vermillion

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

Sep 01, 202156:20
Jessica is Extremely Embarrassed at Her Current Read

Jessica is Extremely Embarrassed at Her Current Read

Want a personalized reading recommendation? Visit litthesedayspodcast.com.

Aug 25, 202159:59
Come for the Books, Stay for the Blooper Reel - Episode Twenty

Come for the Books, Stay for the Blooper Reel - Episode Twenty

Stay tuned for the blooper reel at the very end of the podcast! As always, Jessica and Adam discuss the books they're currently reading, the books they've finished, and they give recommendations to their listeners. This week's question comes from Anonymous who asks:

"I’m looking for Latin American historical fiction (English or English translation is preferred, but I can read in Spanish too)! I liked The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia, I Didn’t Talk by Beatriz Bracher, and Blood on the Dawn by Claudia Salazar Jiménez."

If you want a personalized reading recommendation, visit litthesedayspodcast.com to fill out the form.

Make sure you check out our Instagram! @LitTheseDaysPodcast

Books discussed:

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

The Deep by Rivers Solomon

Movies and Other Things by Shea Serrano

Basketball and Other Things by Shea Serrano

Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents by Julia Alvarez

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Aug 18, 202143:01
We Like Big Book Hauls and We Cannot Lie - Episode Nineteen

We Like Big Book Hauls and We Cannot Lie - Episode Nineteen

Wow, we have a huge book haul for you this week. Email us at litthesedays@gmail.com to let us know if you like our book hauls or not!

Make sure you keep up with us on Instagram: @LitTheseDaysPodcast and click here to join our Discord.

Visit our website litthesedayspodcast.com to request a personalized reading recommendation.

Jessica talks about BookTuber Noelle Gallagher on the podcast today. Check her out!

Books Discussed:

The Pitchfork Review Volume 1

A Just Measure of Pain: the Penitentiary in the Industrial Revolution Michael Ignatieff

Very Short Introductions from Oxford Press

Beneath the Underdog by Charles Mingus

Songs in the key of Z: the Curious Universe of Outsider Music by Irwin Chusid

Critical Theory Today: a User Friendly Guide by Lois Tyson

Pittsburgh Noir by Aubrey Hirsh

The Shenley Experiment by Jake Oresick

The Midnight Library by Matthew Haig

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Ask Again Yes by Mary Beth Keane

It Ends with Us Colleen Hoover

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

Nihilism by Nolen Gertz

MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett

The Easy Rawlins series by Walter Mosely

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Girl by Jamaica Kincaid

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

First Comes Like by Alisha Rai

Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to a Tribe Called Quest by Hanif Abdurraqib

Aug 11, 202101:09:37
You Know I Like the Avant-Garde - Episode Eighteen

You Know I Like the Avant-Garde - Episode Eighteen

Adam and Jessica discuss their wild weekends, the books they've finished, and what they're currently reading. They also give recommendations for good coffee table books to pick up.

Books discussed:

Batman the Jiro Kuwata Batmanga

Restart Gordon Korman

War and Peace Leo Tolstoy

2084 Report James L. Powell

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island Colleen Oakley

The Ex Talk Rachel Lynn Solomon

Radio Silence Alice Oseman

Introducing Critical Theory a Graphic Guide Stuart Sim

Miseducated by Brandon P. Fleming

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business Charles Duhigg

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Stephen Covey

Mythos Stephen Fry

Ashley Kahn’s books on jazz (series)

The Annotated Alice Lewis Carroll

Aug 04, 202101:07:08
Jessica Has Beef with Art and the American Education System - Episode Seventeen

Jessica Has Beef with Art and the American Education System - Episode Seventeen

Jessica and Adam discuss the books they're reading and give recommendations to Laura who asks:

"I just read Shirley Jackson for the first time and while I can't say I enjoyed it (in fact often I felt queasy/icky/upset) I can't stop thinking about it and want to read more. Any thoughts on what to read next AND do you know of any good literary criticism of The Lottery and Other Stories?"

Our website: litthesedayspodcast.com

Our Instagram: @LitTheseDaysPodcast

Our Discord: https://discord.gg/ARTydwMt

Books discussed:

  • The Deep by Rivers Solomon - check out the song that inspired it: https://discord.gg/ARTydwMt
  • Farewell to Manzanar by James D. Houston and Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1
  • Maus by Art Spiegleman
  • Yeats is dead edited by Joseph O'Connor
  • Nihilism by Noel Gertz
  • The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin
  • The Veldt by Ray Bradbury
  • Those Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin
  • Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin 


Jul 28, 202101:06:53
The *Steamiest* Episode We've Recorded - Episode Sixteen

The *Steamiest* Episode We've Recorded - Episode Sixteen

No, not like that. This week, Jessica and Adam give romance recommendations and talk about their favorite essay collections. If you want a personalized reading recommendation, visit litthesedayspodcast.com and fill out the form.


Books mentioned:

The Parable of the Sower - Octavia Butler

The Dating Plan - Sara Desai

Psychopolitics, Neoliberalism and New Technologies of Power - Byung-Chul Han

Tiny Beautiful Things - Cheryl Strayed

X: A Highly Specific, Defiantly Incomplete History of the Early 21st Century - Chuck Klosterman

His Name is Cwiz - Jeremy Rhyne

Head Over Heels - Hannah Orenstein

Beach Read - Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry

Jul 21, 202101:05:40
We Love Duels and Animal Crossing - Episode Fifteen

We Love Duels and Animal Crossing - Episode Fifteen

Jessica and Adam discuss their love of Animal Crossing along with the books they've been reading. Adam gives comic book recommendations.

Jul 14, 202101:13:12
Is War and Peace...Interesting? - Episode Fourteen

Is War and Peace...Interesting? - Episode Fourteen

Adam and Jessica discuss the books they've finished reading, what they're currently reading, and they give fantasy book recommendations.

Jul 07, 202101:08:60
I Enjoy Books with Heavy Philosophy and Explicit Sex - Episode Thirteen

I Enjoy Books with Heavy Philosophy and Explicit Sex - Episode Thirteen

Jessica and Adam discuss their thoughts on People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. They also talk about upcoming books they're excited about. 

The podcast has a Discord now! Click the link to join: https://discord.com/invite/6tCRvrRR

Jun 30, 202151:40
Read Moby Dick When You Have an Existential Crisis - Episode Twelve

Read Moby Dick When You Have an Existential Crisis - Episode Twelve

Jessica and Adam discuss the books they finished, what they're currently reading, and give small-press book recommendations.

Jun 23, 202101:00:16
Afrofuturism Recommendations - Episode Eleven

Afrofuturism Recommendations - Episode Eleven

In this episode, Adam and Jessica discuss the books they've read recently, book to movie adaptations, and give Afrofuturism recommendations.

Jun 16, 202101:08:00
Power Rangers Meets Ghostbusters Meets The Shining - Episode Ten

Power Rangers Meets Ghostbusters Meets The Shining - Episode Ten

In this episode, Adam talks about a book deemed "Power Rangers Meets Ghostbusters Meets The Shining," Jessica mentions her new favorite romance novel, and the two give small press book recommendations. If you want Jessica and Adam to give you a book recommendation, just send an email to themarkliteraryreview@gmail.com.

Jun 09, 202157:23
Books for People Who Hate Reading - Episode Nine

Books for People Who Hate Reading - Episode Nine

Jessica and Adam discuss what they've been reading and give recommendations for people who don't like reading. Jessica talks about The Mark Literary Review's June edition that just came out; you can access that here: themarkliteraryreview.com/june-2021

Jun 02, 202152:23
The Tea on John Green Books - Episode Eight

The Tea on John Green Books - Episode Eight

Adam and Jessica give their opinion on John Green books, talk about what they're excited to read in the future, and give a recommendation to someone who wants a summer read. If you want them to give you a recommendation on the podcast, email themarkliteraryreview@gmail.com or send a DM on Twitter to @LiteraryMark.

May 26, 202153:39
A Homeless Teenage Ninja Skateboarder? - Episode Seven

A Homeless Teenage Ninja Skateboarder? - Episode Seven

In this episode, Jessica and Adam talk about a comic that isn’t depressing, a book of short stories sure to make you laugh, and they give book recommendations for classics that won’t bore you to tears. If you want Jessica and Adam to recommend you a book, send in your question to themarkliteraryreview@gmail.com.

May 19, 202101:05:11
New Co-Host! - Episode Six

New Co-Host! - Episode Six

Jessica officially has a co-host! Everyone welcome Adam to the podcast. This week, Jessica and Adam talk about the books they've been reading and answer a book recommendation question from a listener. If you want Jessica and Adam to give you a book recommendation, send your question in to themarkliteraryreview@gmail.com and they might answer it on the podcast! Jessica also talks about her favorite spoken word poet in this episode and you can find the video she references here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3F0FfNiFss

May 12, 202150:26
How Do You Know When a Poem is Finished?

How Do You Know When a Poem is Finished?

In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Jessica Purgett talks to Charles Carter, a poet with quite a few collections out now or forthcoming very soon. They talk about his collections, how you know when a poem is finished, and where to submit your work once it's done. The Mark Literary Review publishes a list of literary magazines that are open for submissions every Sunday. Check it out at themarkliteraryreview.com/blog

Apr 28, 202129:47
How Do You Start a Writing Group?

How Do You Start a Writing Group?

In this episode, Jessica interviews Alex Law, a law student who also runs a writing group. They talk about how to start your own writing group and how to keep people engaged once it's created. Alex also reads a piece Jessica published in The Mark Literary Review a few months ago called "Back When I was Charlie."

Apr 14, 202133:06
Two Editors Talking About Stuff and Things

Two Editors Talking About Stuff and Things

In this episode, Jessica Purgett, editor of The Mark Literary Review, talks to Jeff Bogle, editor of a new literary magazine, Stanchion. They talk about why Jeff started a print magazine in 2020 (isn't print dead?), the editing process, and other editorial things.

Mar 31, 202155:04
The Coolest City Around

The Coolest City Around

Jessica Purgett, Editor-in-Chief of The Mark Literary Review, interviews Chuck Augello about his short story collection The Inexplicable Grey Space We Call Love. They talk about his writing process, how he got published, and how being an editor of Cease, Cows helped his own writing. Chuck also reads Jessica's favorite story from the collection, "Cool City."

Mar 17, 202159:40
How do You Promote a Book?

How do You Promote a Book?

Welcome to the first edition of "Lit These Days: Presented by The Mark Literary Review." In 2018, Jessica Purgett launched The Mark Literary Review, an online literary journal. She's published over 150 authors since its inception and now she's launching a podcast! In the first edition, she interviews Lori Hettler, a freelance book publicist. Lori discusses the books she's currently promoting as well as how to promote your own books should you choose to go it alone. 

Mar 03, 202119:49