Dungeon Crawler Carl
Matt Dinniman
Mentioned 5 months ago
Fortunately, Unfortunately
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
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Uplifting Children's Stories
Most Recommended
Guinness World Records 2025
The hosts explored the origins of the book, recounting how it began from a debate over the fastest game bird and evolved into a bestseller. They also touched on controversies surrounding some records and explained how official recognition works, while sharing nostalgic memories of the book from their childhoods.
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Episode: Worst World Records
The podcast hosts discussed the origins of the Guinness Book of World Records, tracing it back to a shooting party argument about the fastest game bird in Europe. They also talked about controversies surrounding some of the records and the process of getting a record officially recognized.
"
These fellows looked through all the reference books they had about game birds in Europe. There was nothing to definitively say what is the fastest one.
After some initial research and organizing of the company, they begin on writing a book, which takes 13 weeks to write. Writing through the weekends and through holidays and extra time, and went on to become an all-time bestseller we know and love as the Guinness Book of World Records and or known today.
But seriously, obviously, right? Am I right? Obviously, seriously, obviously.
These books were like a big part of childhood for me.
It's basically just an accumulation of like people inventing things that they are the best at and then doing them the best.
I Want My Hat Back
The book was referenced by Mark as the creative spark for a new children's story that mirrors its premise of a parent searching for a child. He noted that while the new work was inspired by the title, it was distinct enough to avoid copyright concerns. The discussion highlighted the book's influence rather than offering a direct recommendation.
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Episode: Uplifting Children's Stories
It was used as inspiration for a new children's book, focusing on a similar premise of a parent searching for their child.
"
you know the book I Want My Hat Back Sure yes I've got a new one it's not based on that at all so it's not copyright infringement I want my son back
The Accessible Conspectus
In the episode, the book was described as the gold standard in sleep technique, but listeners were cautioned that it is very boring and reads like an academic paper, making its practical value offset by its dull presentation.
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Knowledge Encyclopedia Dinosaur!
Over 60 Prehistoric Creatures as You've Never Seen Them Before (DK Knowledge Encyclopedias)
The title was highlighted as a collection that rekindled the speaker's childhood fascination with dinosaurs, with Mark noting how it revived his enthusiasm for the prehistoric creatures. It was presented as a fresh and engaging way to explore dinosaur facts, and the hosts spoke positively about its impact.
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Episode: How To Milk Your Dinosaur
These books, recently acquired by Molly, were said to have reinvigorated the speaker's childhood love for dinosaurs.
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I was huge into dinosaurs The T-rex was my favorite But I had all kinds of dinosaur toys And little like books and facts about dinosaurs
History's Worst Decisions and the People Who Made Them, Illustrated Edition
The book was highlighted when Bob noted he had purchased it at Costco for $18 and planned to use it as material for a future episode. He described it as a worthwhile buy because of its substantial size, engaging topics, and abundant illustrations. His comments conveyed a positive impression, treating it as a good addition to the podcast’s content.
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Episode: Worth It
Bob bought this book at Costco intending to use it as the basis for a future podcast episode; he felt it was a worthwhile purchase due to its thickness, interesting subjects, and numerous pictures.
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I got a book. Tell us fucking more, I guess, man, whatever.
I got this book called History's Worst Decisions and Inventions. And this is going to be the basis of some kind of episode.
Also, it cost me $18, so you know it's a good book.
It's got a lot of pictures.
Frostpunk. Antologia
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Novinophobia T-Shirt T-Shirt
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The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook
The release of this book was mentioned in the podcast, and it supposedly explained the lore of Five Nights at Freddy's 4.
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Anyway, there was another book did Oh phobia too.
— Episode: Five Nights at Freddy’s Tier List (Part...
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Episode: Five Nights at Freddy’s Tier List (Part 2)
The release of this book was mentioned in the podcast, and it supposedly explained the lore of Five Nights at Freddy's 4.
"
Anyway, there was another book did Oh phobia too.
Holmes & Moriarty
Kriminalroman | Für Fans der erfolgreichen BBC-Sherlock-Serie
This choose your own adventure book was mentioned, where the host always ended up eating candy and dying.
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I had the Hotel Moriarty or whatever it was called. I remember reading that one the choose your own adventure and I always got so pissed off because I somehow I always ended up in the hotel room and I...
— Episode: Reading
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Episode: Reading
This choose your own adventure book was mentioned, where the host always ended up eating candy and dying.
"
I had the Hotel Moriarty or whatever it was called. I remember reading that one the choose your own adventure and I always got so pissed off because I somehow I always ended up in the hotel room and I ate the candy and died.
Warhammer 40,000 The Ultimate Guide
One of the hosts mentioned reading many books from this universe, but finding the quality inconsistent due to the high volume of releases.
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I read a lot of books but mostly of one specific genre. I think I've talked about a Warhammer 40k.
— Episode: Reading
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Episode: Reading
One of the hosts mentioned reading many books from this universe, but finding the quality inconsistent due to the high volume of releases.
"
I read a lot of books but mostly of one specific genre. I think I've talked about a Warhammer 40k.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? My First Reader
This classic children's book was casually mentioned when the hosts were reminiscing about their childhood reading experiences and favorite library memories. Wade referenced the imagery of the brown bear, which prompted Bob to immediately identify the title, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" The book served as a nostalgic touchstone during their conversation about early literature.
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Episode: You Member?
One of the podcast hosts recalled a children's book featuring a brown bear, which was likely Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, triggering a chain of memories from their childhood.
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I remember something with like a brown bear and a snake that eats itself. I don't know. I just love the library of children's books.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? That's the book, there you go.
The Queer Art of Failure (a John Hope Franklin Center Book)
Jack Halberstam’s The Queer Art of Failure was cited by the hosts as a key source during the discussion on historical missteps and failures in the episode about trying hard but ultimately failing. The book provided background material, informing the segment about various notable failures in history that formed the core of that episode's theme.
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The Harry The Happy Mouse Activity Book
Bob discussed The Harry The Happy Mouse Activity Book, highlighting its engaging format and the whimsical illustrations by Janelle Dimit that accompany author N G K's text. Described as an interesting choice for children aged five and up, the book was praised for integrating coloring and puzzles without resorting to boring designs. Ultimately, the book served as a positive example to remind listeners to always choose activity books based on the child's specific interests.
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Episode: The Boys Bet It All
It was described as an engaging activity book for children aged five and up, with colorful pages and puzzles. The reviewer highlighted its whimsical illustrations and suggested considering the child's interests when selecting activity books.
"
Harry the Happy Mouse stars in a series of picture books by author NGK.
He's beautifully drawn by Janelle Dimit who also does the illustrations for this activity book, the whimsical pictures perfectly illustrate author NGK's text about Harry and his friends.
It's designed for ages five and up so younger children might not get as much out of it, but the print is pretty large. Each page is a colorable page, so there's a lot of coloring activities.
And although there are puzzles and things to get the kid thinking, none of the pages are presented as just a boring puzzle on a boring background. So this is really an interesting and engaging activity book.
The big thing that Connie wants everyone to remember is when you're picking out activity books or gifts or puzzles or things for children, it's too easy to think, oh, I would have fun doing this. You have to remember, are you buying this for you? Are you buying this for this child? Are you going to enjoy this or is your child going to enjoy this?
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Interactive (MinaLima Edition)
(Illustrated with Interactive Elements) (Minalima Classics)
The classic L. Frank Baum novel was brought up briefly during a comedic segment exploring the capabilities of AI assistants. The book served as the subject of a hypothetical request where a child asked the AI if their 'grandma could finish reading' the story, leading to a humorous voice imitation. It was mentioned purely as a setup for the bit rather than a genuine recommendation.
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Episode: Before We Die
Alexa was asked if the child's grandmother could finish reading "The Wizard of Oz" to a child; Alexa then switched to another voice mimicking the child's grandmother to continue reading the book.
"
can grandma finish reading me the Wizard of Oz if you buy it?
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Divorce and Recovery
It was mentioned as the first book seen in a bookstore by one of the podcast hosts after going through a rough breakup; this was interpreted as a synchronicity.
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You go into like a bookstore and the first book you see is like Chicken Soup for the Broken Heart.
— Episode: Synchronicity
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Episode: Synchronicity
It was mentioned as the first book seen in a bookstore by one of the podcast hosts after going through a rough breakup; this was interpreted as a synchronicity.
"
You go into like a bookstore and the first book you see is like Chicken Soup for the Broken Heart.
The Runaway Jury
A Novel
One speaker mentioned they needed to finish reading this book before starting Dungeon Crawler Carl.
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I've got to finish Runaway Jury first, but then I'm switching over to it.
— Episode: How Do You Pan?
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Episode: 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.
The Widow
A Novel
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.
— Episode: How Do You Pan?
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Episode: 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.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.