The gang makes it to the inn of The Prancing Pony in the village of Bree. Gandalf is no where to be found. Frodo succeeds on a performance check. Fails on an acrobatics check. Then fails on a bluff check. Everyone is now in mortal danger. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodc…

It's Nate's Nightmare November and he has gone mad with power. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy the Books - https://bookshop.org/shop/wabpod…

Does Ralph Nader have the solution to our current political climate? No. He doesn't. I look forward to your comments. Let the nightmare begin. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutb…

Did you really believe that it was over? Did you think you could watch me, share me, READ ME without consequence? Oh no. It isn't over. It will never be over. As sure as the sun rises in the East, as sure as this world ends in fire, Ben. Drowns. You have drowned him. And now you will rejoice in celebration of his unholy baptism. Support the show Di…

The Hobbits leave the house of Tom Bombadil with one assignment: don't go to the barrow-downs. Sure would be a shame if they happened to have a picnic/nap right on top of one... Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodc…

Ben enlists the help of Zelda expert Nathaniel Creed to solve the mystery of another Ben's drowning. Someone is out here killing Bens, and you know what Ben says to that? "Over my dead body!" Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/words…

We spend an evening in the house of Tom Bombadil. Good food and good(ish) song flow freely. Then after dinner Tom takes us to sit by the fire and shares with us his insight into the nature of reality and the history of all creation. Everyone but Frodo falls asleep. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threa…

This week Ben attempts to recommend some books about modern magic, spiritualism, and ghosts. Nate said "that's not going to work for me brother." This is what happens when Nate was asked not to read the book and hasn't taken anything for his ADHD whatsoever. So... yeah, not really sure who this is for but if you want to listen to your boys talk abo…

A sentient willow tree swallows Pippin and Merry. A strange man sings several songs and then hits the tree with a stick. It's super effective Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbo…

This week Ben wastes tons of time ruining magic and horror for himself by reading The Amityville Horror and then researching it and then everything just goes off the rails. Nate is really really glad to not have had to read this. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Insta…

For a variety of reasons, Ben has decided to give Goosebumps one more try. We're going back to where it all began: Welcome to Deadhouse. Will RL Stine be redeemed, or was Goosebumps truly just a fad? Find out on this exciting episode of Words About Books. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wo…

Turns out Frodo is really bad at keeping secrets. Now 5 innocent ponies are about to enter into the adventure of a lifetime. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy th…

This week the boys check out a manga. Opus by Satoshi Kon. Get ready for a story within a story within a narrative within a podcast. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja…

A Ringwraith tramples farmer Maggot's fields and you won't believe what happens next. Also, is it just me, or is this episode a little too long? Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsabou…

This week the BAD BOY OF PODCASTING Nate talks about a Chess romance book with Ben, who is just trying to provide for his family. If you want to join the patreon so that you can vote in great books like this, go do that. Right away. 'K bye. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspo…

Frodo meets an elf and we somehow wind up revisiting the entire 10,000 year history of the Noldor. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy the Books - https://bookshop…

Ben and Nate share their thoughts on William Gibsons's unused screenplay for Alien 3, a film that is hated by the fanbase. Could Gibson have done it better? Yeah, probably, but it's still kind of mid. You wanna hear about how my landlord took out a wasp nest? It is a metaphor for the Alien franchise, and also practical pest control advice? All this…

Gandalf's back and he has some explaining to do. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy the Books - https://bookshop.org/shop/wabpod…

Words About Dune is over. Well, mostly. This is the finale where we wrap up talking about the book series that Ben started this podcast for. This whole thing has been an excuse to force someone to read Dune so he could talk to someone about it. Good times... good times. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.…

Bilbo throws the largest party that the Shire has ever seen. Nate wonders if it is irresponsible to use the weapon of The Enemy to annoy your terrible relatives. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https…

This week we wrap up our discussion of Chapterhouse: Dune. We leave the series on a bit of a downer note with our heroes (or whatever we would call them) taking off in a No Ship while the Bene Gesserit and Honored Matre leadership becomes one. The villains of this trilogy reveal themselves to be some higher level of Face Dancer, something beyond an…

First, we're going to check back in with the gang from The Hobbit and see where they are now. Then we're going to get a little refresher on Hobbit lore. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.w…

Welcome back, Dune fanatics! This week, Ben and Nate tackle the mind-bending first half of Frank Herbert’s Chapterhouse: Dune. With the Bene Gesserit teetering on the edge of annihilation and the Honored Matres breathing down their necks, Chapterhouse is all that stands between the Sisterhood and total extinction. As expected, Herbert spins a web o…

In honor of "Back to School" month, we're talking about The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. Will this book be the one that finally changes the boys' minds on fancy-pants literary fiction? The answer may surprise you. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram…

We conclude our revisit of American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Since the first time I read this book, I've changed. The way I think about Neil Gaiman has certainly changed. The real question is, will my earlier review of the book change? (Yes, it will). Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsabout…

Ben revisits American Gods in the wake of the allegations against Neil Gaiman to see if learning something terrible about one of his favorite authors will change his interpretation of a text he enjoyed so much he bought it twice. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Insta…

We're back! Ben is wrapping up our discussion of the first book of the Pendragon series. What does Ben think about it? Is it any good? I could tell you, but it's really better if you experience it for yourself. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.…

This episode was ready at midnight but we got engrossed in mummy hunting and, well, whoops. Anyway this week we talk about the other Christmas book, the one Nate got for Ben. It's the first book of the Pendragon series! Does anybody else remember this? I don't think anyone in modern times remembers or cares but it's possible that millennials rememb…

The final chapter of The Hobbit, in which we learn never to trust the Sackville-Bagginses. This one made me a little emotional guys. Is it normal for a book to make you feel feelings? Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutboo…

Last Christmas Ben gifted Nate The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah. Hannah was given the Christie estate's blessing to write new Hercule Poirot mysteries. Will this gift be a thoughtful and heartfelt token of friendship? Or will it be like every other gift Ben has given to Nate? Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - h…

Why does it hurt so much? Because it was real. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy the Books - https://bookshop.org/shop/wabpod…

Ben is dying of pneumonia so this week we had to go with a bonus episode from the old patreon vault. I'm not sure if this is something that inspires you to donate money to the patreon but this is what we do over there. We release episodes of books nobody asked for (the books, not the episodes). Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP…

Thorin tries to murder Bilbo, and a war for control of The Lonely Mountain begins. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy the Books - https://bookshop.org/shop/wabpod…

This week we continue our discussion of Noir by Christopher Moore. In this episode we learn the truth about what happened in Roswell in 1947. We also learn what a "cornet" is. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcas…

Content Warning: Sexual Themes Christopher Moore is back with another book. It's fine. A mediocre man cracks wise while getting increasingly over his head in trouble. He'll probably be bailed out at the end by supernatural forces of which he is barely aware. Simultaneously he is romancing a much more attractive woman who inexplicably finds him char…

War seems all but inevitable. Fortunately, Bilbo has a plan involving a little bit of honest burglary. Will it pan out? Ben and Nate have doubts. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsabo…

This week we talk about a book that, being honest, we did not care for. We wanted to read one more locked room mystery to see if this was our thing or not. The patrons voted for this one when it was put up and, well, here we are. It's not a great book and we had more fun talking about it than reading it. Support the show Discord - https://discord.g…

"Clouds", in this case, being a metaphor for a war that Thorin cannot possibly win. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy the Books - https://bookshop.org/shop/wabpo…

Alternate Title: Look to the Right We finish our discussion of Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas! Who will win the competition to be the king's assassin? Who is going around killing and eating the champions? Which of these two men will our hero end up with? What's the deal with the opium-smoking lady? Find out! Including an extra special bonus for th…

We're back! Using new recording tech that may break more than I like but we're going to blame Ben for that for not proofing and "having a life". What a jerk. Anyway we should hopefully iron out those technical issues. But now it's time to talk about Sarah J Maas again! We were pretty happy with Court of Thorns and Roses. So much so that we awarded …

I wonder where Smaug went? Oh. Oh dear... Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy the Books - https://bookshop.org/shop/wabpod…

Alternate Title: Rick Deckard's Wife is Based The boys discuss the cyberpunk(ish) classic that inspired Blade Runner. Ben even watched Blade Runner for this episode. Let's see what all the fuss is about. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagr…

As is tradition on words about books, once per year we must ritualistically judge books by their covers. Nate has gathered 5 books on which he has "done no research" for Ben to judge. Will Ben be able to select one for the pair to read? Or, in a podcast first, will he be forced to resort to The Mystery Box. Find out on this exciting episode of Word…

In this chapter, Smaug leaves the gang alone with his treasure. Bilbo gets a very important mail shirt. Unfortunately, that's about all that happens. So to pad the run time Ben talks about his experience watching Peter Jackson's The Desolation of Smaug. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@word…

At long last we finish out the Neuromancer/Sprawl trilogy. I never expected to get this far, yet here we are. What I'm saying is that Nate hasn't read this book for 2-3 years and can't remember most of what happened in it so Ben is gonna have to do a TON of carrying here. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://ww…

A new release! By... Ernest Cline... oh gosh. Yes Ernest Cline didn't retire after that brazen failure and complete lack of effort and has come back with... his best book to date? What is even happening here?!? Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.…

The dragon is found. Bilbo tries to riddle his way out of another jam, but this time, he may have met his match. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutbooks.ninja/ Buy the Books - ht…

Finally, we're covering some proper literature on this podcast. The boys are discussing the book adaptation of the hit murder mystery show from the 80's. Jessica Fletcher is accused of murder in a foreign country. Can she clear her name and find the real killers before they ruin the reputation of Britain's greatest mystery writer who is not Agatha …

Things are getting uncomfortably real for Thorin and his friends. To emphasize how screwed they are Ben recounts dragon lore from ages past. Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blog.wordsaboutboo…

Ben and Nate discuss the award-winning children's novel. This one is light on summary and heavy on confused philosophical rambling. You have been warned... Support the show Discord - https://discord.gg/6BaNRtcP8C Threads - https://www.threads.net/@wordsaboutbookspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wordsaboutbookspodcast Blog - https://blo…