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
Train Dreams Cover

Denis Johnson

Train Dreams

During the episode with Joel Edgerton, the hosts reflected on the novella's film adaptation, noting its quiet, slow‑burn storytelling about a 1917 logger. They said the story lingered with them, prompting thoughts about gratitude and the abundance in everyday life. Both Dax Shepard and Joel highlighted how the period piece moved them, indicating strong approval of the title.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Joel Edgerton

The hosts discussed the novella's adaptation, noting they kept thinking about it after watching and appreciated its quiet, periodpiece storytelling.

"

I keep thinking about it. Train Dreams, which is out on Netflix on the 21st, just in time for Thanksgiving. It is actually, you know, it's a great movie to see right before Thanksgiving because it gives you so much gratitude for the abundance we live in and have no gratitude for.

It's based on Dennis Johnson's novella of the same name, Train Dreams.

It's a period film and it's based on Dennis Johnson's novella of the same name, Train Dreams... The kind of quiet, slowburn story about a logger in 1917 that moves you and makes you think about gratitude and abundance.

The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life with One Simple Habit Cover

Mel Robbins

The High 5 Habit

Take Control of Your Life with One Simple Habit

The host briefly noted the title as part of Mel Robbins' bestselling catalog, pointing out its focus on a simple habit for taking control of one's life. It was mentioned in passing alongside her other works without further analysis.

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Episode: Mel Robbins (on the Let Them Theory)

The host listed it alongside Mel's other titles as part of her bestselling catalog.

"

The High Five Habit and The Five Second Rule.

We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir Cover

Sir Anthony Hopkins

We Did OK, Kid

A Memoir

The hosts highlighted the memoir as a surprising and wonderful new release and urged listeners to check it out. They praised the title and encouraged the audience to read the book.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Anthony Hopkins

The memoir was highlighted as a surprising and wonderful new release that the hosts encouraged listeners to check out.

"

His book is called We Did Okay, Kid.

I hope everyone checks out the book. It is called, appropriately, We Did Okay, Kid.

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition) Cover

Malala Yousafzai

I Am Malala

How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition)

In the episode the host shared that they had read the book and loved it, emphasizing its importance and describing it as a fun, playful side of Malala. The recommendation highlighted how the memoir offers an engaging look at her activism and personal journey, making it appealing for younger readers.

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Episode: Malala Yousafzai (education activist)

The host said they had read her book and loved it, noting its importance and describing it as a fun, playful side of Malala.

"

Her books are I Am Malala, We Are Displaced, Malala's Magic Pencil, and now her memoir, Finding My Way, which is really from the moment we all kind of knew her to her trying to attempt to have a normal college life.

We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World Cover

Malala Yousafzai

We Are Displaced

My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World

In the episode with the education activist, the host listed the title among the guest's published works, noting it alongside her other books. The mention was brief and factual, with no detailed endorsement or critique.

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Episode: Malala Yousafzai (education activist)

It was listed among her published works as one of the books the guest had authored.

"

Her books are I Am Malala, We Are Displaced, Malala's Magic Pencil, and now her memoir, Finding My Way...

Gone Before Goodbye Cover

Harlan Coben

Gone Before Goodbye

The episode highlighted that Reese co‑wrote the title with Harlan Coben and narrated the audiobook herself. Dax praised the story and specifically recommended listening to it, while Reese described their collaborative writing process. The overall tone was an enthusiastic endorsement.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon cowrote the novel with Harlan Coben, released it as an audiobook narrated by her, and both praised its story and recommended listening to it.

"

She's got a novel out right now that she cowrote... Gone Before Goodbye.

And of course, she reads it. I recommend it.

I had about the first hundred pages in my mind already worked out and I defined the character and everything. And then he helped me... we sat down and started brainstorming, writing chapters together.

Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Cover

Steven D. Levitt

Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]

A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

The book was highlighted as a bestselling, award‑winning title with a new anniversary edition announced, and the host urged listeners who hadn't read it to get a copy. The discussion emphasized its popularity and impact, presenting it as a must‑read.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Stephen Dubner Returns Again

It was highlighted as the bestselling coauthored book that has won awards and sold millions of copies, and a new anniversary edition was announced.

"

Stephen Dubner is the host of Freakonomics Radio and coauthor of the Freakonomics Books, which have won many awards and sold millions of copies around the world.

The new edition drops November 11th.

If you've never read Freakonomics, you are a Philistine. So go get it on the 20th anniversary, November 11th.

I'm Glad My Mom Died Cover

Jennette McCurdy

I'm Glad My Mom Died

They said they were obsessed with the book, had interviewed McCurdy when she was promoting it, and noted it as one of their best episodes.

"

It was a book that I was obsessed with and talking to her about it before we had it picked up before we went out and pitched it even I knew I wanted to be involved.

— Episode: Sharon Horgan

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Episode: Sharon Horgan

They said they were obsessed with the book, had interviewed McCurdy when she was promoting it, and noted it as one of their best episodes.

"

It was a book that I was obsessed with and talking to her about it before we had it picked up before we went out and pitched it even I knew I wanted to be involved.

I think the defining attribute that allows you to enjoy it or not enjoy it be it Amanda Knox or Jeanette is if they weren't destroyed by it it's great. And that really is Jeanette. It's like oh no this bitch ain't destroyed by this.

Anointed: The Extraordinary Effects of Social Status in a Winner-Take-Most World Cover

Toby Stuart

Anointed

The Extraordinary Effects of Social Status in a Winner-Take-Most World

Toby Stuart explained his book Anointed, outlining how status functions as a shortcut for assessing quality and shapes markets and cultural values.

"

The book is called Anointed, The Extraordinary Effects of Social Status in a Winner-Take-Most World.

— Episode: Toby Stuart (on social status)

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Episode: Toby Stuart (on social status)

Toby Stuart explained his book Anointed, outlining how status functions as a shortcut for assessing quality and shapes markets and cultural values.

"

The book is called Anointed, The Extraordinary Effects of Social Status in a Winner-Take-Most World.

Anointed the Extraordinary Effects of Social Status in a Winner-Take-Most World.

Choosing the Right Pond: Human Behavior and the Quest for Status Cover

Robert H. Frank

Choosing the Right Pond

Human Behavior and the Quest for Status

Toby highlighted Choosing the Right Pond as a book that helps people select the status groups that best fit their lives.

"

a book that was written by an interesting Cornell economist called Choosing the Right Pond

— Episode: Toby Stuart (on social status)

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Episode: Toby Stuart (on social status)

Toby highlighted Choosing the Right Pond as a book that helps people select the status groups that best fit their lives.

"

a book that was written by an interesting Cornell economist called Choosing the Right Pond

The Shards: A novel Cover

Bret Easton Ellis

The Shards

A novel

Shards was referenced as a recent novel by BretEastonEllis that explores growing up in 1980s Hollywood.

"

He has a book out, maybe it's two years old, called Shards. And it's about growing up, going to one of these fancy private schools in Hollywood.

— Episode: Toby Stuart (on social status)

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Episode: Toby Stuart (on social status)

Shards was referenced as a recent novel by BretEastonEllis that explores growing up in 1980s Hollywood.

"

He has a book out, maybe it's two years old, called Shards. And it's about growing up, going to one of these fancy private schools in Hollywood.

The Book of Sheen: A Memoir Cover

Charlie Sheen

The Book of Sheen

A Memoir

The memoir was noted as a new paperback/hardcover release that Charlie Sheen wrote about his life and career, and it was described as wellconstructed, formatted, and largely written by Sheen himself.

"

He has a new memoir out called The Book of Sheen

— Episode: Charlie Sheen

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Episode: Charlie Sheen

The memoir was noted as a new paperback/hardcover release that Charlie Sheen wrote about his life and career, and it was described as wellconstructed, formatted, and largely written by Sheen himself.

"

He has a new memoir out called The Book of Sheen

I'm two thirds of the way through the book

I think people get a sense of me at this point, especially with the book and the doc

I was so impressed because, A, it's just a very wellconstructed and formatted book

I was handwriting my notes. Yeah. But I was typing the actual chapters. The manuscript.

The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature Cover

Steven Pinker

The Stuff of Thought

Language as a Window into Human Nature

Pinker referenced The Stuff of Thought as the earlier work that led to his current book on common knowledge.

"

I wrote a book called Rationality. That's right. ... earlier book, which is what spawned this book called The Stuff of Thought, Language as a Window into Human Nature.

— Episode: Steven Pinker Returns (on common knowled...

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Episode: Steven Pinker Returns (on common knowledge)

Pinker referenced The Stuff of Thought as the earlier work that led to his current book on common knowledge.

"

I wrote a book called Rationality. That's right. ... earlier book, which is what spawned this book called The Stuff of Thought, Language as a Window into Human Nature.

Beauty Trivia for Teens!: 100+ Amazing Facts about Beauty, Fashion and Makeup | Perfect Gift for Teenage Girls and Beauty Enthusiasts Cover

Berry Art

Beauty Trivia for Teens!

100+ Amazing Facts about Beauty, Fashion and Makeup | Perfect Gift for Teenage Girls and Beauty Enthusiasts

Bobbi Brown said the book was iconic for her and that it felt like a premakeup video in book form, marking a fullcircle moment in her career.

"

I'm so excited for this because Teenage Beauty was an iconic book for me. It was iconic. It was like the premakeup video. Yeah. In book form.

— Episode: Bobbi Brown (make-up artist and entrepre...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Bobbi Brown (make-up artist and entrepreneur)

Bobbi Brown said the book was iconic for her and that it felt like a premakeup video in book form, marking a fullcircle moment in her career.

"

I'm so excited for this because Teenage Beauty was an iconic book for me. It was iconic. It was like the premakeup video. Yeah. In book form.

Still Bobbi: A Master Class in Resilience and Reinvention Cover

Bobbi Brown

Still Bobbi

A Master Class in Resilience and Reinvention

Bobbi Brown discussed her new memoir, noting it as her latest publication and Dax Shepard expressed enthusiasm for it, encouraging listeners to check it out.

"

She is here to talk about her new memoir... called Still Bobby.

— Episode: Bobbi Brown (make-up artist and entrepre...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Bobbi Brown (make-up artist and entrepreneur)

Bobbi Brown discussed her new memoir, noting it as her latest publication and Dax Shepard expressed enthusiasm for it, encouraging listeners to check it out.

"

She is here to talk about her new memoir... called Still Bobby.

I love your book. Still Bobby. Please check it out.

The Fort Bragg Cartel: Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces Cover

Seth Harp

The Fort Bragg Cartel

Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces

The book investigated drug trafficking and murders within the U.S. Special Forces at Fort Bragg, exposing a hidden cartel and multiple homicides.

"

His book is called The Fort Bragg Cartel, Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces.

— Episode: Seth Harp (on drug trafficking in the mi...

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Episode: Seth Harp (on drug trafficking in the military)

The book investigated drug trafficking and murders within the U.S. Special Forces at Fort Bragg, exposing a hidden cartel and multiple homicides.

"

His book is called The Fort Bragg Cartel, Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces.

I was reading your book and I'm like, oh, no, there's a big batch that are definitely caught up in that cycle as well.

That's something I do write in the book.

I think it is a bestseller. Yeah. Which it deserves to be. It's so fucking well written.

The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet Cover

Alicia Silverstone

The Kind Diet

A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet

Alicia explained that she wrote The Kind Diet to share her vegan health journey and that readers reported losing weight and stopping medication after reading it.

"

It became a relief when I wrote my book, The Kind Diet. Yes. Because I was like, look, I'm going to write everything I have to say here. And if you want to read it, you can.

— Episode: Alicia Silverstone

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Alicia Silverstone

Alicia explained that she wrote The Kind Diet to share her vegan health journey and that readers reported losing weight and stopping medication after reading it.

"

It became a relief when I wrote my book, The Kind Diet. Yes. Because I was like, look, I'm going to write everything I have to say here. And if you want to read it, you can.

He said, because I've lost a hundred pounds. I'm off every medication I had.

The Kind Mama: A Simple Guide to Supercharged Fertility, a Radiant Pregnancy, a Sweeter Birth, and a Healthier, More Beautiful Beginning Cover

Alicia Silverstone

The Kind Mama

A Simple Guide to Supercharged Fertility, a Radiant Pregnancy, a Sweeter Birth, and a Healthier, More Beautiful Beginning

Alicia mentioned she enjoys writing the book Kind Mama, which aims to help women conceive and navigate pregnancy.

"

I love writing the books, Kind Mama, Helping Mommies Get Pregnant.

— Episode: Alicia Silverstone

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Episode: Alicia Silverstone

Alicia mentioned she enjoys writing the book Kind Mama, which aims to help women conceive and navigate pregnancy.

"

I love writing the books, Kind Mama, Helping Mommies Get Pregnant.

Night People: How to Be a DJ in '90s New York City Cover

Mark Ronson

Night People

How to Be a DJ in '90s New York City

Ronson's memoir was described as a loveletter to 1990s New York and a diary of his rise as a DJ, capturing the highs and lows of that era.

"

He has a new memoir out on September 16th called Night People, How to Be a DJ in 90s New York City.

— Episode: Mark Ronson Returns

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Episode: Mark Ronson Returns

Ronson's memoir was described as a loveletter to 1990s New York and a diary of his rise as a DJ, capturing the highs and lows of that era.

"

He has a new memoir out on September 16th called Night People, How to Be a DJ in 90s New York City.

My book is coming out 10 days later.

The crazy thing about this book is a really good friend of mine read it.

This book is about New York in the 90s and me coming up as a DJ in my 20s.

Night People, How to Be a DJ in 90s New York City. The most useless howto book of all time.

The Catcher in the Rye Cover

J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye

The classic novel was cited while the host was checking out a building and mentioned reading it.

"

She said when I was reading Catcher in the Rye.

— Episode: Mark Ronson Returns

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Mark Ronson Returns

The classic novel was cited while the host was checking out a building and mentioned reading it.

"

She said when I was reading Catcher in the Rye.

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