Distractible
Book Recommendations

Distractible

The Distractible podcast with Mark Fischbach, Wade Barnes, and Bob Muyskens is a space to have thoughtful discussions about funny, out there, or otherwise interesting stories from everyday life. Also an opportunity for three friends to remind each other they are not as smart as they think.

Episodes 423
Books 60

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Dungeon Crawler Carl cover

Dungeon Crawler Carl

Matt Dinniman

Mentioned 5 months ago

Fortunately, Unfortunately

Mark was on book five of the series and was reading them very quickly, reading four books in about a week and starting the fifth one immediately after. He enjoyed reading the spell and ability descriptions, noting that the AI sections were some of his favorite parts.

I love Dungeon Crawler Carl. What book are you on? I'm on book five.

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The Scarlet Letter: The Original 1850 Edition (Nathaniel Hawthorne Classics) cover

The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Mentioned 5 months ago

How Do You Pan?

One speaker said this book tried to destroy their love of reading, especially letters.

The Scarlet Letter did its best to destroy my love of anything, especially letters.

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Project Hail Mary: A Novel cover

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir

Mentioned 5 months ago

How Do You Pan?

Mark praised this book for covering many concepts simply and keeping him hooked despite the fake science. Wade mentioned he hadn't read it yet but knew he liked Andy Weir's writing.

I would say like Project Hail Mary kind of walked the line because it was a very simply written, but it covered a bunch of concepts and a bunch of it was like, you know, fake science shit. But like, it still was like, OK, I'm trying to keep track of all these terms and science stuff and math stuff. But like, it did a good job of carrying me like I stayed hooked. I love that book. That was a great book.

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Artemis: A Novel cover

Artemis

Andy Weir

Mentioned 5 months ago

How Do You Pan?

Mark recommended this sci-fi book, which is set on a moon base and features a heist element, calling it totally worth reading.

You should read Artemis by Andy Weir. It's a sci fi. It's a moon base setting. The main character is awesome. The whole thing. It's very like heisty. It's got like a heist shenanigans aspect to it. Yeah. Awesome. Also totally worth reading. Love that book.

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The Martian: A Novel cover

The Martian

Andy Weir

Mentioned 5 months ago

How Do You Pan?

Mark mentioned that if someone liked Project Hail Mary, they should definitely read this book.

if you like Project Hail Mary and if you haven't read The Martian, The Martian is very worth reading.

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The Runaway Jury: A Novel cover

The Runaway Jury

John Grisham

Mentioned 5 months ago

How Do You Pan?

One speaker mentioned they needed to finish reading this book before starting Dungeon Crawler Carl.

I've got to finish Runaway Jury first, but then I'm switching over to it.

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The Widow: A Novel cover

The Widow

John Grisham

Mentioned 5 months ago

How Do You Pan?

Wade mentioned reading some of these books after finishing the Animorphs series.

And then last year I read the entire Animorphs series in like a month and then picked up some of the John Grisham books and stuff.

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How to Play Video Games (User's Guides to Popular Culture) cover

How to Play Video Games (User's Guides to Popular Culture)

Matthew Thomas Payne

Mentioned 1 year ago

Nah, I'd Win

The speakers discussed "Game Dev Tycoon", a game released in 2012, and its sequel, "Tavern Keeper", released 12 years later by the same studio, Greenheart Games.

Do you guys know the game Game Dev Tycoon?

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Bye Bye Butterfly: A book about Grief, Loss and Letting Go cover

Bye Bye Butterfly

J.I. Willett

Mentioned 1 year ago

Get More Stupider

It was mentioned as a favorite childhood book, described as having a beautiful tale.

I remember my favorite childhood book, bye bye butterfly, it was such a beautiful tale.

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Clifford the Big Red Dog cover

Clifford the Big Red Dog

Norman Bridwell

Mentioned 1 year ago

Big or Small (Part 2)

One of the podcast hosts expressed their fondness for the book series. They imagined a scenario involving a large or small Clifford and discussed the potential consequences.

I always thought I love those books. I love Clifford the Big Red Dog.

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The Da Vinci Code cover

The Da Vinci Code

Dan Brown

Mentioned 1 year ago

Wade's Secret Words (Part 2)

The podcast hosts discussed a novelization of the movie, which was itself based on the book, and a new movie based on that novelization was anticipated. A host expressed excitement for the potential to engage with more Da Vinci Code material through this process.

I'm excited for the movie to come out of the novelization of the movie of the original novel of The Da Vinci Code.

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Everyone Poops (Taro Gomi) cover

Everyone Poops (Taro Gomi)

Taro Gomi

Mentioned 2 years ago

Uplifting Children's Stories

It was mentioned as a good read and a great book.

you know the book everybody poops yes great book good read

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Most Recommended

The Scarlet Letter: The Original 1850 Edition (Nathaniel Hawthorne Classics) Cover

Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter

The Original 1850 Edition (Nathaniel Hawthorne Classics)

The hosts repeatedly expressed strong dislike for the book, saying it ruined their love of reading and was the worst literature they had encountered. Wade described its writing style as horrible and called the author a terrible writer, while Mark complained about its repetitive phrasing and how it made him fall asleep. The overall discussion was sharply critical, emphasizing how painful it was to get through the text.

Critiqued
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Episode: Chess 3

It was described as an awful book, with a horrible writing style, and the author was criticized as a terrible writer and person.

"

The Scarlet Letter we've never sold a copy of that you bought 300 copies? It's an awful book.

At least it's the worst book I've ever read in my life of all books I've read.

The story itself is not bad the way it's written is horrible that author needs to go back to school forever Nathaniel Hawthorne terrible terrible person terrible writer in fact I don't know what kind of person he is but for writing that book and the way he wrote it he's a terrible person.

I've talked about that book before I there is nothing that I have read that is but I would rather read the dictionary than that book ever again.

Episode: Reading

One of the hosts expressed extreme dislike for this book, citing its repetitive use of the phrase "the reader must know" as particularly frustrating and ultimately impacting their ability to enjoy the story.

"

the one book I wish I had and I will forever rip on it is The Scarlet Letter. There has never been a worse piece of literature. I have read in my life

something about that book was the ultimate melatonin. I would read four lines and fall the fuck asleep.

Arthur Dimmesdale the reader must know and his dear Hester Prynne took their little pearl and every fucking time.

I'm pretty sure that that line is in there a whole bunch couldn't tell you exactly when I read three lines at a time of that fucking book. It took me all summer to read to that book.

It took me like two and a half of our three months off to get through that fucking book. Every day I would read three lines and it was like I wanted to bash my head against a brick wall. Never had more pain in my life than trying to get through that book.

Episode: How Do You Pan?

One speaker said this book tried to destroy their love of reading, especially letters.

"

The Scarlet Letter did its best to destroy my love of anything, especially letters.

The French Laundry Cookbook (The Thomas Keller Library) Cover

Thomas Keller

The French Laundry Cookbook (The Thomas Keller Library)

The book was brought up while the hosts discussed a TikTok series in which a chef tackled its recipes, noting the chef's dedication and the high‑quality ingredients required, such as a specific cultured butter that is hard to source. They highlighted the challenges of matching the original standards and expressed appreciation for the chef’s effort without offering criticism.

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Episode: Mark Hates The Moon

The podcast host mentioned watching a TikTok series where a person cooks from this cookbook, noting the chef's high standards for ingredients.

"

this guy will be like yeah well I couldn't find the French Laundry gets their cultured butter from one creamery in the south of France but they buy all of it and so you can't get that so I got this other cultured butter it's $28 a quarter pound um and it's not the same but you know this is what I have to work with

Dungeon Crawler Carl Cover

Matt Dinniman

Dungeon Crawler Carl

The hosts repeatedly praised the book, with Mark highlighting how quickly he devoured multiple volumes and how much he enjoyed the spell, ability, and AI descriptions. Mark also expressed that he finished the latest installment the night before the show because it was that compelling, and Wade noted he had bought the first volume and planned to read it next. Markiplier made a brief, humorous reference to an early scene, underscoring the series' memorable moments.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: How Do You Pan?

This book was highly praised, with one speaker stating they started it the night before and finished it before the podcast because it was so good. Another speaker mentioned they bought the first book and planned to switch to it after finishing another book they were currently reading.

"

Dungeon Crawler Carl. Oh, wait. It's so good. It's so good?

I haven't yet. I bought the first book. You haven't read it yet? I've got to finish Runaway Jury first, but then I'm switching over to it.

I started it last night, finished it before the podcast. It was that good. Nice. I loved it. I can't wait to read the next one.

I will say if you like Project Hail Mary and if you haven't read The Martian, The Martian is very worth reading. You should read Artemis by Andy Weir.

Episode: Mark's Big Dangerous Word Game

One of the speakers mentioned that something in the current episode reminded them of something early on in the first book of this series, specifically concerning 'big boy undies.'

"

And I also tied that in because I mean it might be a spoiler but in Dungeon Crawler Carl in the first book there's a thing about big boy undies.

Episode: Fortunately, Unfortunately

Mark was on book five of the series and was reading them very quickly, reading four books in about a week and starting the fifth one immediately after. He enjoyed reading the spell and ability descriptions, noting that the AI sections were some of his favorite parts.

"

I love Dungeon Crawler Carl. What book are you on? I'm on book five.

Seven. Eight comes out in a couple months or two or something.

I read books like I chew packs of gum, all of it at once.

I loved all. I love reading the spell and the ability descriptions. Like I could, if the whole book was basically just reading what they did and what the AI was saying, it's just like, and basically that is the whole book, but it's like, that's, that's some of my favorite part.

If you really like the AI six and seven are going to knock your socks off.

The Da Vinci Code Cover

Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code

The hosts talked about a novelization of the movie that stemmed from the original novel, and one host expressed excitement about getting more related material through that chain of adaptations. In another episode, a speaker referenced the title while comparing it to a similarly named work, showing familiarity but only a brief mention. Overall, the book was noted more for its cultural offshoots than as a direct recommendation.

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Episode: Wade's Secret Words (Part 2)

The podcast hosts discussed a novelization of the movie, which was itself based on the book, and a new movie based on that novelization was anticipated. A host expressed excitement for the potential to engage with more Da Vinci Code material through this process.

"

I'm excited for the movie to come out of the novelization of the movie of the original novel of The Da Vinci Code.

The book inspired the movie, but then the movie inspired a novelization of it. And so there is a novelization of the movie, which they're now making into a new movie based off the novelization instead of the original material.

But then I'll be excited to see when the novelization of the movie about the novelization about the movie based on the book comes out because then that's more Da Vinci Code I get to read.

Episode: Illegal Advice

The Da Vinci Code was mentioned in relation to another book, The Leonardo Code, and a discussion about the movie adaptation, showcasing the speaker's familiarity with popular culture and the confusion between similar titles.

"

The Da Vinci Code is the first one isn't that second one oh how to gone in 60 seconds that's exactly the leonardo koda sorry tom hanks and catholicism gone in 60 seconds that's fantastic thank you

Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space Cover

Carl Sagan

Pale Blue Dot

A Vision of the Human Future in Space

The book was briefly referenced as the source of some framed posters in both episodes, with no further discussion of its content or themes. The hosts mentioned it only in passing.

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Catch-22: 50th Anniversary Edition Cover

Joseph Heller

Catch-22

50th Anniversary Edition

In two episodes, Wade highlighted the book as one of his favorites, noting its illustration of a no‑escape loop that parallels horror tropes. He also described it as a great read, recalling reading it in high school. The hosts' remarks were uniformly positive, indicating a strong recommendation.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Boo?!

The book was mentioned as a favorite, illustrating the concept of being trapped in a loop with no escape. This concept was related to the horror trope of whether or not to reveal the monster, as both choices have drawbacks.

"

Catch 22 is one of my favorite like concepts. I read the book when I was in high school and I just love it.

Episode: Reading

One of the hosts positively mentioned "Catch-22" as a great book.

"

Catch-22 was a great book. I love Catch-22.

A Manual for Creating Atheists Cover

Peter Boghossian

A Manual for Creating Atheists

The book was referenced in two episodes as the origin of some framed posters displayed by the speakers. No further discussion of its content or arguments was provided, and it was not actively recommended or critiqued. The mentions were brief and served only as a decorative reference.

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Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set: Books 1-7 (Slipcase) Cover

J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set

Books 1-7 (Slipcase)

The Harry Potter book series was mentioned as a popular series that one of the hosts would read immediately upon release.

"

growing up for us Harry Potter was a popular series right and like when the Harry Potter books would come out I would always read those like the next day or that night. It was like you go to the midni...

— Episode: Reading

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Episode: Reading

The Harry Potter book series was mentioned as a popular series that one of the hosts would read immediately upon release.

"

growing up for us Harry Potter was a popular series right and like when the Harry Potter books would come out I would always read those like the next day or that night. It was like you go to the midnight release get the book next day read done

The Book of John (The Smart Guide to the Bible Series) Cover

Lin Johnson

The Book of John (The Smart Guide to the Bible Series)

Markiplier's father made him read the Bible and write a book report on the story of Job as punishment for looking at pornography as a child. He discussed the story of Job, where Job remained faithful to God despite suffering immense hardship.

"

So he was, you know, upset. Not really, but you know, disappointed.

— Episode: Disappointing Our Parents

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Episode: Disappointing Our Parents

Markiplier's father made him read the Bible and write a book report on the story of Job as punishment for looking at pornography as a child. He discussed the story of Job, where Job remained faithful to God despite suffering immense hardship.

"

So he was, you know, upset. Not really, but you know, disappointed.

the punishment was I need to read the Bible

he made me do a book report on the story of Job

One of my favorite sci-fi books is based on the story of Job.

And so these two guys were talking and there's Job. He's got family and a farm and whatnot. And the devil says to God is all like, Hey, you're not as good as you think you are. Your people don't believe in you as much as they do. You think you, they do. And I bet that I can get one of them to swish on you at a heartbeat, even the most devout. And God was like, well, there's Job. He's uh, he's happy. Fuck up his life. He'll still believe in me. And so the devil did that.

The Lord of the Rings Illustrated (Tolkien Illustrated Editions) Cover

J. R. R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings Illustrated (Tolkien Illustrated Editions)

The Lord of the Rings was mentioned in relation to the Ents, tree-like creatures from the book, being compared to redwoods.

"

God, give me like Ents from Lord of the Rings come out, but redwoods.

— Episode: The Burls [Bonus Episode]

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Episode: The Burls [Bonus Episode]

The Lord of the Rings was mentioned in relation to the Ents, tree-like creatures from the book, being compared to redwoods.

"

God, give me like Ents from Lord of the Rings come out, but redwoods.

The Hobbit Illustrated by the Author: Illustrated by JRR Tolkien: The Complete Illustrated Edition (Tolkien Illustrated Editions) Cover

J. R. R. Tolkien

The Hobbit Illustrated by the Author

Illustrated by JRR Tolkien

It was mentioned that one of the hosts used "The Hobbit" for multiple book reports over four years, rereading the book each time.

"

I actually did that for like four years in a row for book reports. I did the same book just because I wanted to read The Hobbit again.

— Episode: Reading

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Episode: Reading

It was mentioned that one of the hosts used "The Hobbit" for multiple book reports over four years, rereading the book each time.

"

I actually did that for like four years in a row for book reports. I did the same book just because I wanted to read The Hobbit again.

I actually reread the book each time.

The Grapes of Wrath Cover

John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath

One of the hosts mentioned writing a book report about this as a child after dreaming about it; the book report included fantastical elements not present in the actual novel.

"

The Grapes of Wrath or some book like that and what happened was I had dreamed I read the book the night prior I dreamed I read it and that's what I thought the book was all of my dre...

— Episode: Reading

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Episode: Reading

One of the hosts mentioned writing a book report about this as a child after dreaming about it; the book report included fantastical elements not present in the actual novel.

"

The Grapes of Wrath or some book like that and what happened was I had dreamed I read the book the night prior I dreamed I read it and that's what I thought the book was all of my dream thoughts.

Everyone Poops (Taro Gomi) Cover

Taro Gomi

Everyone Poops (Taro Gomi)

It was mentioned as a good read and a great book.

"

you know the book everybody poops yes great book good read

— Episode: Uplifting Children's Stories

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Episode: Uplifting Children's Stories

It was mentioned as a good read and a great book.

"

you know the book everybody poops yes great book good read

The Catcher in the Rye Cover

J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye

This book was mentioned as one that people commonly have strong negative opinions toward.

"

Catcher in the Rye maybe? Is that one of the ones people hate?

— Episode: Reading

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Episode: Reading

This book was mentioned as one that people commonly have strong negative opinions toward.

"

Catcher in the Rye maybe? Is that one of the ones people hate?

Molly said Catcher in the Rye was the one she couldn't stand.

Please Don't Feed the Vampire! (Give Yourself Goosebumps Book 15) Cover

R.L. Stine

Please Don't Feed the Vampire! (Give Yourself Goosebumps Book 15)

One of the hosts mentioned reading Goosebumps books as a child, but found some of them too scary.

"

I liked some of the books but some of them I don't remember specifically but which ones but I read I remember reading one and getting to the end and be like, nope. Nope. No more goosebumps too much.

— Episode: Reading

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Episode: Reading

One of the hosts mentioned reading Goosebumps books as a child, but found some of them too scary.

"

I liked some of the books but some of them I don't remember specifically but which ones but I read I remember reading one and getting to the end and be like, nope. Nope. No more goosebumps too much.

Ready Player One Cover

Ernest Cline

Ready Player One

One of the hosts described getting "sucked in" by this book and reading it in a single night, highlighting its engaging world-building and connection to reality.

"

the last time this happened to me was with the player one book and like it that's very like I don't know if that's a cool book or not. The movie was questionable, but the book I think is really good.

— Episode: Reading

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Episode: Reading

One of the hosts described getting "sucked in" by this book and reading it in a single night, highlighting its engaging world-building and connection to reality.

"

the last time this happened to me was with the player one book and like it that's very like I don't know if that's a cool book or not. The movie was questionable, but the book I think is really good.

I read that book in one night. I picked it up and I was like, I'll just read this before bed a little bit and then at like 6 in the morning. I finished the book.

Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy World Cover

Richard Scarry

Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy World

One of the hosts recalled memories associated with Richard Scarry's books, specifically mentioning images from the series that triggered deep memories from their toddler years.

"

I remember like reading that with my grandma when I was a toddler. All these images of this book series are like triggering things in my deep memory as well. I must have read these or something.

— Episode: You Member?

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Episode: You Member?

One of the hosts recalled memories associated with Richard Scarry's books, specifically mentioning images from the series that triggered deep memories from their toddler years.

"

I remember like reading that with my grandma when I was a toddler. All these images of this book series are like triggering things in my deep memory as well. I must have read these or something.

The something house of Richard Scarry or something. I don't remember what it was called. The Crazy Town of Richard Scarry. Wait, hang on. I'm going to Google that. Something house. The Mountain House of Scary Lane. The House of Richard Scarry.

Richard Scarry's Best House Ever is a YouTube video. The Busy World of Richard. Who is Richard Scarry? Who is this man? Some little like hamster thing with like a red hat, I think. It looks like a worm. What? It looks like a worm driving an apple car, Wade. No, there's a hamster. No Bob, stop. Are you talking about the book? Is this the House of Mistress Mouse? Oh wait, Richard Scarry is the author.

The Berenstain Bears and the Truth (First Time Books) Cover

Stan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears and the Truth (First Time Books)

The hosts discussed the Mandela effect surrounding the spelling of this book title, with some uncertainty about the correct spelling.

"

The book series about the family of bears. The Berenstain Bears. Does that sound right to you?

— Episode: Reading

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Episode: Reading

The hosts discussed the Mandela effect surrounding the spelling of this book title, with some uncertainty about the correct spelling.

"

The book series about the family of bears. The Berenstain Bears. Does that sound right to you?

Apparently it's Berenstain Bears and I definitely was in the Berenstain camp.

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