Summer Break!

We won't be broadcasting this summer (sniffle, sniffle, sob) but that doesn't mean we're avoiding books . . . or you! Marc and I simply can't talk right now since we're buried in our summer reading! And remember, you can catch up on all of our first and second seasons at the link above. We'll resume the show weekly at the end of August or beginning of September. So get your reading in now, and ask us about it later!

Season's Finales with Chad Harbach (26) and George Saunders (27)!

Listen (Right Now!) to our final episodes of Season 2, in which we discuss book accumulation and the passing of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and speak directly to the actual human voice of Chad Harbach, author of The Art of Fielding, editor of the essay collection MFA v. NYC, and founding editor of n+1 (Episode 26) . . . and our summer preview of events and book releases, along with our discussion with a man who we believe to be the actual George Saunders! (Episode 27). Or . . . if you're just catching up with us, we recommend 27 hours straight of listening. No performance-enhancement necessary; the show IS an upper. Stay in touch with us over the summer as we post what we're reading and reassess this here blog and how it may become central to your existence. Happy summer, listeners and viewers. You too are part of the Read First, Ask Later family.

Spitznagel and Bock are Up! Next: Julia Fierro!

Listen, by clicking on the link above, to Marc and John's uproarious discusion with Eric Spitznagel and their condemnation of Walter Kirn's Blood Will Out in Episode 23.  Then, as if you could handle it, hear them pontificate on Young Adult fiction and (in a separate discussion) talk to Charles Bock, author of Beautiful Children, in Episode 24.  And THEN, if you have any remaining brain matter, listen as they discuss New Journalists and talk to Julia Fierro in Episode 25 about her novel, Cutting Teeth, to be released next month!

April 1 Guests: Stephen King, Haruki Murakami, and The Easter Bunny!

Listen on April 1 as Marc and John have a four-way conference call with our guest authors . . . really . . . we're not making any of this up . . . following a discussion of book news and the recently released Blood Will Out by Walter Kirn.  If you miss it you'll be a lesser person.

World's Best Interviews Ever and of All Time: Gurganus, Lisicky!

Listen to episodes 21 and 22 of the award-winning broadcast, with guest authors Paul Lisicky and Allan Gurganus!

Also in 21, Marc and John discuss the Morning News Tournament of Books and debate who's the better recidivist male between Updike's Rabbit or Henry Bech.  One of John and Marc's cherished students, Trisha, calls in with a question, and one of Marc and John's parents, Jack Nardone, shares his thoughts on Erik Larson's Devil in the White City!

In 22, our co-hosts highlight their favorite fiction characters of all time AND ever, and they share their love of McSweeney's and other American literary magazines . . . at least those worthy of mention.  (Our co-hosts, after all, have to be aware of the ripple effects of their statements on unstable governments and fragile economies!)

Don't worry -- it's okay you missed it -- but catch up before next Tuesday!

Susan Orlean Talked to Us!

It's true.  Marc and John were skeptical but once they witnessed her proficiency on the topics of the German Shepherd breed, artistic performance on Twitter, and rare exotic flowers, they knew it had to be none other than Susan Orlean!  Listen to Episode 20 and their live interview, as well as a discussion of the Association for Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference in Seattle, WA and B.J. Novak's "One More Thing" in the context of literary humor.

Then . . . take next week to catch up on past episodes as John and Marc will be enjoying Spring Break by . . . er . . . teaching and grading.  Next up on 3/18, author Paul Lisicky and a discussion of John Updike's literary legacy!  Listen . . . and call in . . . but first read, then ask.  (Huh?)

Coming Up: Pam Houston (2/25) and Susan Orlean (3/4)!

Our episodes with outstanding author guests DJ Paul V, Helen Frost, Heather Jacobs, and Elissa Schappell are up in our archives, accessible at the link above!

This Tuesday we're ecstatic to be speaking with Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted and other works of fiction, and a renowned teacher and speaker.  We'll also be discussing the rather spectacular success or failure (depending on who you ask) of Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch . . . and we'll challenge the NY Times Bookends authors James Parker and Rivka Galchen to an arm wrestling match for not mentioning Marc and John among their literary bad boys.

AND . . .  we'll be waiting for your questions live at 4:15!