Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Book Recommendations

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Hi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate,...

Episodes 846
Books 630

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

The Intimate Animal: The Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live and Die for Love cover

The Intimate Animal

Justin R. Garcia PhD

Mentioned 5 months ago

Justin Garcia (on the science of sex)

Dax praised it as a phenomenal and eyeopening read that explores the science of sex, fidelity, and why we live and die for love.

he has a book out now called The Intimate Animal, The Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live and Die for Love, which is a phenomenal read and very eyeopening.

Buy on Amazon
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female by Alfred C Kinsey (1998-05-01) cover

Sexual Behavior in the Human Female by Alfred C Kinsey (1998-05-01)

Alfred C. Kinsey

Mentioned 5 months ago

Justin Garcia (on the science of sex)

The hosts noted it was the first Kinsey volume, a huge bestseller that revealed unprecedented data on male sexuality.

the first book comes out, Sexual Behavior of the Human Male, Huge bestseller.

Buy on Amazon
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female cover

Sexual Behavior in the Human Female

Alfred C. Kinsey

Mentioned 5 months ago

Justin Garcia (on the science of sex)

They mentioned it followed the male volume, also becoming a bestseller despite controversy and book burnings.

five years later, Sexual Behavior of the Human Female came out.

Buy on Amazon
The Spider and the Fly: A Reporter, a Serial Killer, and the Meaning of Murder cover

The Spider and the Fly

Claudia Rowe

Mentioned 5 months ago

Claudia Rowe (on the foster care system)

Claudia Rowe released the truecrime memoir in 2017, detailing her fiveyear correspondence with a confessed serial killer and the unsettling investigation that followed.

Her previous book, which is super interesting, we actually learned a bit about her previous book, The Spider and the Fly, with her intertwinement.

Buy on Amazon
Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult cover

Empire of Orgasm

Ellen Huet

Mentioned 5 months ago

Ellen Huet (on wellness cults)

The hosts highlighted Ellen Huet's new investigative book about the OneTaste wellness cult, praising its compelling narrative and urging listeners to read it.

She's got a new book out now called Empire of Orgasm, Sex, Power and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult.

Buy on Amazon
The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman cover

The 4-Hour Body

Timothy Ferriss

Mentioned 5 months ago

Ellen Huet (on wellness cults)

The conversation noted that Tim Ferriss mentioned OneTaste in his bestselling health book, highlighting its cultural relevance.

Tim wrote about One Taste in the four hour body.

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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma cover

The Body Keeps the Score

Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

Mentioned 5 months ago

Marcello Hernández

The book was cited as a great work on trauma, noting its relevance to a doctor's early experiences at the VA hospital.

There's a great book The Body Keeps the Score maybe you've heard about that book but this doctor's work starts because he's working when he's young in the VA hospital and he's watching these vets come in and they're getting confronted with something that's just a little difficult like it's paperwork and he's watching people have this insane flight or fight reaction full 180 heartbeat per minute unraveling.

Buy on Amazon
Maeve and Charlie Meet the Neighbors cover

Maeve and Charlie Meet the Neighbors

Joseph Lopez

Mentioned 6 months ago

Elizabeth Smart

He shared that Groot received a fanmail book titled Maeve and Charlie Meet the Neighbors, which was dedicated to the dog.

He got a book ... it's called Maeve and Charlie Meet the Neighbors, and it's about a dog.

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The Neverending Story cover

The Neverending Story

Michael Ende

Mentioned 6 months ago

Elizabeth Smart

The book was mentioned as the childhood movie that scared Elizabeth, and she recalled it being a beautiful story about a boy on an adventure.

The movie that scared me most as a kid was The NeverEnding Story. Oh yeah, sure. Oh, it scared you. Oh, I hated it. You hated a tray with a huge dog or? I mean, honestly, I haven't watched it since then. So I couldn't even tell you what it's about. Oh, wow. It's a beautiful story about a little boy on an adventure.

Buy on Amazon
Guinness World Records 2026 cover

Guinness World Records 2026

Guinness World Records

Mentioned 6 months ago

Elizabeth Smart

The book was referenced when Elizabeth's sister was looking at a page about an extremely muscular woman, illustrating the family's casual reference to the famous records compendium.

My sister is looking at the Guinness Book of World Records.

Buy on Amazon
The Wright Brothers cover

The Wright Brothers

David McCullough

Mentioned 6 months ago

David McWilliams (on the history of money)

The hosts mentioned the book as a great read, highlighting its quality and relevance when discussing early air travel history. It was cited as an example of a wellwritten historical biography.

Great book, by the way, David McCullough, the Wright brothers book.

Buy on Amazon
The History of Money: A Story of Humanity cover

The History of Money

David McWilliams

Mentioned 6 months ago

David McWilliams (on the history of money)

The hosts described the book as absolutely fascinating, noting it blends history and economics and moves quickly with many characters and stories. They praised it as a fun ride that teaches the history of money while being entertaining.

Alas, David McWilliams' book is called The History of Money, and it's absolutely fascinating.

Buy on Amazon

Most Recommended

A Little Life: A Novel Cover

Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life

A Novel

The hosts discussed reading the novel, noting its emotional intensity and beauty, and mentioned stopping halfway to switch to the audiobook.

"

Have you heard of this A Little Life?

— Episode: Synced: Hot Girl Hobbies

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Synced: Hot Girl Hobbies

The hosts discussed reading the novel, noting its emotional intensity and beauty, and mentioned stopping halfway to switch to the audiobook.

"

Have you heard of this A Little Life?

I read half of it, I think.

Oh, it's a beautiful book.

I didn't finish because then I moved it to my audiobook and I am not good at audiobook, so I stopped.

Well, I just know that people warn each other about it. It's intense. You're gonna cry.

Wicked Collector’s Edition: The Inspiration for the Smash Broadway Musical and the Upcoming Major Motion Picture Cover

Gregory Maguire

Wicked Collector’s Edition

The Inspiration for the Smash Broadway Musical and the Upcoming Major Motion Picture

The musicalturnednovel was mentioned in passing as something the hosts had just watched.

"

We just saw Wicked, so we're going to call her Mrs. Glenda.

— Episode: Armchair Anonymous: Crazy Neighbors

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Episode: Armchair Anonymous: Crazy Neighbors

The musicalturnednovel was mentioned in passing as something the hosts had just watched.

"

We just saw Wicked, so we're going to call her Mrs. Glenda.

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson Cover

Mitch Albom

Tuesdays with Morrie

An Old Man, A Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson

It was listed among the topselling memoirs in the same rundown of popular books.

"

Three is Tuesdays with Maury. That was a big one. Yes. Mitch Albom is a Detroit guy as we've talked about.

— Episode: Jedidiah Jenkins (author and memoirist)

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Episode: Jedidiah Jenkins (author and memoirist)

It was listed among the topselling memoirs in the same rundown of popular books.

"

Three is Tuesdays with Maury. That was a big one. Yes. Mitch Albom is a Detroit guy as we've talked about.

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. Cover

Ron Chernow

Titan

The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.

They praised it as the best biography they'd read, calling it an alltime favorite nonfiction work and describing it as insanely good.

"

I know the name but what I did Titan the Rockefeller biography. He did the best grant Biography he does biographies in my opinion. He is the very best biographies. Oh, they're so fuck...

— Episode: Kristen Bell & Adam Brody

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Kristen Bell & Adam Brody

They praised it as the best biography they'd read, calling it an alltime favorite nonfiction work and describing it as insanely good.

"

I know the name but what I did Titan the Rockefeller biography. He did the best grant Biography he does biographies in my opinion. He is the very best biographies. Oh, they're so fucking good if you like Larson Titans my alltime favorite nonfiction book the Rockefeller biography. It's insane.

The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell) Cover

Joseph Campbell

The Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)

Dax recalled a line from The Hero's Journey about the hero having the courage to pursue his own bliss, noting its impact on his thinking.

"

What was the Joseph Campbell's book that I read around the time? The Hero's Journey? There's a line in that book that says sort of the hero is the one who has the courage to pursue hi...

— Episode: Peter Attia (on longevity)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Peter Attia (on longevity)

Dax recalled a line from The Hero's Journey about the hero having the courage to pursue his own bliss, noting its impact on his thinking.

"

What was the Joseph Campbell's book that I read around the time? The Hero's Journey? There's a line in that book that says sort of the hero is the one who has the courage to pursue his own bliss.

The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice Cover

Dan Slepian

The Sing Sing Files

One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice

Dan Slepian announced the release of his book, The Sing Sing Files, detailing the case of one journalist and six innocent men over a 20year fight for justice. The hosts encouraged listeners to read the book and highlighted its upcoming promotion.

"

He has a book out September 10th called The Sing Sing Files, One Journalist, Six Innocent Men in a 20Year Fight for Justice.

— Episode: Dan Slepian (on The Sing Sing Files)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Dan Slepian (on The Sing Sing Files)

Dan Slepian announced the release of his book, The Sing Sing Files, detailing the case of one journalist and six innocent men over a 20year fight for justice. The hosts encouraged listeners to read the book and highlighted its upcoming promotion.

"

He has a book out September 10th called The Sing Sing Files, One Journalist, Six Innocent Men in a 20Year Fight for Justice.

The book you're here to promote is The Sing Sing Files, one journalist, six innocent men in a 25year fight for justice.

I want everyone to read your book, The Sing Sing Files.

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania Cover

Erik Larson

Dead Wake

The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

The title was listed among Larson's notable nonfiction books. It was cited as an example of his previous publications.

"

He wrote The Splendid in the Vial, Dead Wake in the Garden of Beasts, Thunderstruck, and of course, The Devil in the White City.

— Episode: Erik Larson (historical author)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Erik Larson (historical author)

The title was listed among Larson's notable nonfiction books. It was cited as an example of his previous publications.

"

He wrote The Splendid in the Vial, Dead Wake in the Garden of Beasts, Thunderstruck, and of course, The Devil in the White City.

Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America’s Overdose Crisis Cover

Beth Macy

Raising Lazarus

Hope, Justice, and the Future of America’s Overdose Crisis

Barbara noted that Beth Macy's upcoming book Raising Lazarus was a highly regarded work on treatment and gaps in the opioid crisis.

"

Beth Macy is a friend and I think she's done a wonderful job. Her next book is also really good, Raising Lazarus.

— Episode: Barbara Kingsolver (author of Demon Copp...

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Episode: Barbara Kingsolver (author of Demon Copperhead)

Barbara noted that Beth Macy's upcoming book Raising Lazarus was a highly regarded work on treatment and gaps in the opioid crisis.

"

Beth Macy is a friend and I think she's done a wonderful job. Her next book is also really good, Raising Lazarus.

Unstoppable Us, Volume 2: Why the World Isn't Fair Cover

Yuval Noah Harari

Unstoppable Us, Volume 2

Why the World Isn't Fair

The kidfriendly version of Sapiens was referenced as a book they had read aloud to their children.

"

Have you read Unstoppable Us to him? No, I don't know that one.

— Episode: Michelle Williams

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Michelle Williams

The kidfriendly version of Sapiens was referenced as a book they had read aloud to their children.

"

Have you read Unstoppable Us to him? No, I don't know that one.

Hot Mess (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 19) (Volume 19) Cover

Jeff Kinney

Hot Mess (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 19) (Volume 19)

The guest recalled reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid with her son, noting how the character apologizes in the story.

"

He was reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the main character Greg Hefley apologized to Rowley, which sparked a conversation about apologies.

— Episode: Alison Wood Brooks (on the science of co...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Alison Wood Brooks (on the science of conversation...

The guest recalled reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid with her son, noting how the character apologizes in the story.

"

He was reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the main character Greg Hefley apologized to Rowley, which sparked a conversation about apologies.

Sulwe Cover

Lupita Nyong'o

Sulwe

The children's book Sulwe was mentioned as a story about colorism that Lupita wrote and that helped her explain her experiences with skin tone.

"

which is what my children's book Sulwe is about.

— Episode: Lupita Nyong'o

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Episode: Lupita Nyong'o

The children's book Sulwe was mentioned as a story about colorism that Lupita wrote and that helped her explain her experiences with skin tone.

"

which is what my children's book Sulwe is about.

Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity Cover

Andrew Solomon

Far From the Tree

Parents, Children and the Search for Identity

The hosts noted they had watched the documentary adaptation of the book and described it as moving and unexpectedly intense, emphasizing how the work offers a new perspective on families with children who differ from their parents.

"

I talked about it a little bit on armchair if anyone caught this, but he wrote the book Far From the Tree about children who are much different than their parents and parenting a kid...

— Episode: Race to 35: Day 9 + Andrew Solomon

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Episode: Race to 35: Day 9 + Andrew Solomon

The hosts noted they had watched the documentary adaptation of the book and described it as moving and unexpectedly intense, emphasizing how the work offers a new perspective on families with children who differ from their parents.

"

I talked about it a little bit on armchair if anyone caught this, but he wrote the book Far From the Tree about children who are much different than their parents and parenting a kid who's different than you.

I watched Far From the Tree last night, and that's based on a book of yours, and you're in it.

It was so moving.

The Order of Time Cover

Carlo Rovelli

The Order of Time

It was described as a short, illustrated book that explains the physics of time.

"

Carlo Rovelli's book, The Order of Time. Have you read it? No. It's horrific. It's a simple book with drawings and he's just explaining what we know about time.

— Episode: Jedidiah Jenkins (author and memoirist)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Jedidiah Jenkins (author and memoirist)

It was described as a short, illustrated book that explains the physics of time.

"

Carlo Rovelli's book, The Order of Time. Have you read it? No. It's horrific. It's a simple book with drawings and he's just explaining what we know about time.

Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures Cover

Mary Baker Eddy

Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures

Science and Health was referenced as the foundational text of Christian Science, which the speakers described as possibly the most boring book ever written.

"

People just read Mary Baker Eddy's book, Science and Health, which is possibly the most boring book ever written.

— Episode: Caroline Fraser (on serial killers)

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Episode: Caroline Fraser (on serial killers)

Science and Health was referenced as the foundational text of Christian Science, which the speakers described as possibly the most boring book ever written.

"

People just read Mary Baker Eddy's book, Science and Health, which is possibly the most boring book ever written.

A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President Cover

Jeffrey Toobin

A Vast Conspiracy

The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President

The host said they had read the book, confirming it was Jeffrey Toobin's work about the scandal and admitted they only had a cursory understanding of the events before reading it.

"

So I read A Vast Conspiracy. Is that what it's called? Was that Jeffrey Toobin's book? Yes. It was a book all about the scandal.

— Episode: Rerelease: Monica Lewinsky

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Rerelease: Monica Lewinsky

The host said they had read the book, confirming it was Jeffrey Toobin's work about the scandal and admitted they only had a cursory understanding of the events before reading it.

"

So I read A Vast Conspiracy. Is that what it's called? Was that Jeffrey Toobin's book? Yes. It was a book all about the scandal.

Prior to that, I think I just had a very cursory understanding of what all happened.

The White Album by Joan Didion (1979-06-19) Cover

Joan Didion

The White Album by Joan Didion (1979-06-19)

The hosts mentioned The White Album while discussing JoanDidion's body of work and her influence on other writers.

"

What's her seminal? She's an icon. Most famous Joan Didion book. Let's see what pops up. Well, I'm reading The White Album.

— Episode: Toby Stuart (on social status)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Toby Stuart (on social status)

The hosts mentioned The White Album while discussing JoanDidion's body of work and her influence on other writers.

"

What's her seminal? She's an icon. Most famous Joan Didion book. Let's see what pops up. Well, I'm reading The White Album.

Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood Cover

Lisa Damour Ph.D.

Untangled

Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood

The title was mentioned as one of her earlier books and later as the manuscript she was drafting about teenage girls.

"

Her books include Under Pressure, Untangled but the reason Monica was going to do her teenage character is that her new book is called The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.

— Episode: Lisa Damour (on the emotion of teenagers...

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Episode: Lisa Damour (on the emotion of teenagers)

The title was mentioned as one of her earlier books and later as the manuscript she was drafting about teenage girls.

"

Her books include Under Pressure, Untangled but the reason Monica was going to do her teenage character is that her new book is called The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.

I started drafting Untangled guiding teenage girls through the seven transitions into adulthood 80% applies to kids of all genders no question but it's just sort of here are the stages of adolescent.

What Is the What Cover

Dave Eggers

What Is the What

Dax mentioned that Amanda was a fan of the novel, noting the title during their conversation about literature. The book was cited as a point of shared interest.

"

you're a fan of What Is the What?

— Episode: Amanda Uhle (on hoarding)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Amanda Uhle (on hoarding)

Dax mentioned that Amanda was a fan of the novel, noting the title during their conversation about literature. The book was cited as a point of shared interest.

"

you're a fan of What Is the What?

The Simulation Hypothesis: An MIT Computer Scientist Shows Why AI, Quantum Physics and Eastern Mystics All Agree We Are In A Video Game Cover

Rizwan Virk

The Simulation Hypothesis

An MIT Computer Scientist Shows Why AI, Quantum Physics and Eastern Mystics All Agree We Are In A Video Game

The book was highlighted as Rizwan's bestselling work, with a second edition released and translations such as a Japanese edition, and it was repeatedly urged to listeners to read the updated version.

"

His books are The Simulation Hypothesis, Startup Missing Models, Zen Entrepreneurship, Treasure Hunt, and now the second edition of The Simulation Hypothesis out now.

— Episode: Rizwan Virk (on the simulation)

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Rizwan Virk (on the simulation)

The book was highlighted as Rizwan's bestselling work, with a second edition released and translations such as a Japanese edition, and it was repeatedly urged to listeners to read the updated version.

"

His books are The Simulation Hypothesis, Startup Missing Models, Zen Entrepreneurship, Treasure Hunt, and now the second edition of The Simulation Hypothesis out now.

Now my book, The Simulation Hypothesis, has actually been published in Japanese.

When I wrote the first edition, I was here in L.A., and I had lunch with a group of friends, and one of them was Sean Stone, who was the son of Oliver Stone. He said, oh yeah, I know it's a simulation. I said, oh great. I just wrote a book about that.

That's why I wrote this book. Yes. And everyone should check it out and it's updated because obviously when I wrote it initially, AI was kind of unpredictable where it's at now.

I think everyone should check it out and it's updated because obviously when I wrote it initially, AI was kind of unpredictable where it's at now.

The Wright Brothers Cover

David McCullough

The Wright Brothers

The hosts mentioned the book as a great read, highlighting its quality and relevance when discussing early air travel history. It was cited as an example of a wellwritten historical biography.

"

Great book, by the way, David McCullough, The Wright Brothers book.

— Episode: David McWilliams (on the history of mone...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: David McWilliams (on the history of money)

The hosts mentioned the book as a great read, highlighting its quality and relevance when discussing early air travel history. It was cited as an example of a wellwritten historical biography.

"

Great book, by the way, David McCullough, The Wright Brothers book.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.