Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Book Recommendations

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. P...

Episodes 668
Books 512

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Here (Pantheon Graphic Library) cover

Here (Pantheon Graphic Library)

Richard McGuire

Mentioned 5 months ago

Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt + Bowen at the Olympics in Milan

This was mentioned as Mariah Carey's latest album, from which she performed the song "Nothing Is Impossible" during the opening ceremony.

And then she sang her song. nothing is impossible. And we actually agreed in our seats that nothing was. And it's off of her latest album, Here For It All, which we were there for it all.

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What you think of me is none of my business by Terry Cole-Whittaker (1979-05-03) cover

What you think of me is none of my business by Terry Cole-Whittaker (1979-05-03)

Terry Cole‐Whittaker

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Rode Hard And Put Away Wet" (w/ Will Ferrell & Harper Steele)

Will Ferrell mentioned that his mother had a self-help book with this title on her shelf, and that the book's message was his mantra as a child and while traveling across the country with Harper.

Here's a book that my mom literally had a self-help book on her shelf. Called It's None of My Business What You Think of Me.

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It Ends with Us: Special Collector's Edition: A Novel (It Ends with Us) cover

It Ends with Us

Colleen Hoover

Mentioned 1 year ago

"An Attack On Leos" (w/ Matt, Bowen & Friends)

It was mentioned that the book is famous, but a sequel was supposed to be in the works, and it doesn't seem like it's happening anymore because of the drama surrounding it.

but see that this is the thing it's like the behavior effects the work so much yeah so yeah well well that's the summer that's the summer i think we will earnestly start

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Princess Cupcake Jones and the Missing Tutu (Princess Cupcake Jones Series) cover

Princess Cupcake Jones and the Missing Tutu (Princess Cupcake Jones Series)

Ylleya Fields

Mentioned 1 year ago

"An Attack On Leos" (w/ Matt, Bowen & Friends)

It was compared to the plot of a theme park ride where a lot of musicians have to play a big show.

You know, that's like actually the plot of Princess Tauties by you dip. It's like we have to get a lot of musicians to play a big show. It's like okay, cool. This is a theme park ride right?

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It's Not That Complicated: The Three Medicare Decisions to Protect Your Health and Money cover

It's Not That Complicated

Ari Parker

Mentioned 1 year ago

"An Attack On Leos" (w/ Matt, Bowen & Friends)

It was mentioned that if you read her book, you would know that she had tougher relationships with her mother and sister, who both passed away recently.

if you read her book you know those were tougher relationships and sometimes social in months that are the most difficult to lose so i really hope she's okay and i didn't mean to make light at that

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I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman's Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris cover

I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself

Glynnis MacNicol

Mentioned 1 year ago

"White, Fair and Blessed" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

They briefly mentioned "I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself" as a memoir about seeking pleasure in middle age by author and podcaster Glynis McNicol.

Like a recent episode with author and podcaster Glynis McNicol on her new memoir, "I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself."

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Red, White & Royal Blue: Collector's Edition: A Novel cover

Red, White & Royal Blue

Casey McQuiston

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Toxically Benevolent" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

It was mentioned as the book written by Casey McQuiston, who also wrote the audio mystery podcast, "Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay?".

From the writer of Amazon Prime's Red, White and Royal Blue comes a hilarious and demented new audio mystery.

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Mean Boys: A Personal History cover

Mean Boys

Geoffrey Mak

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Toxically Benevolent" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

The book, Mean Boys, was mentioned in relation to the concept of culture and politics flowing downhill from culture, and it was suggested that it might be worth exploring the themes of the book further.

And actually kind of on face value, it kind of speaks to Mean Boys a little bit, too, because that book is a lot about how culture, about politics flows downhill from culture, like and just about like interesting things to think about as of late.

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Status and Culture: How Our Desire for Social Rank Creates Taste, Identity, Art, Fashion, and Constant Change cover

Status and Culture

W. David Marx

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Toxically Benevolent" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

It was mentioned in the context of a timetable about how evaluations of certain trends change over time, using Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill as an example. The book, Status and Culture, explores how our desire for social rank creates taste, identity, art, fashion and constant change.

So he has a timetable in there for how long it takes for something.

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The School of Life: An Emotional Education: An Emotional Education cover

The School of Life

The School of Life

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Good Walz" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

Bowen recommended it for people to look up on YouTube, they were mentioned to have made books and videos on subjects like early bedtimes and simplified lifestyles.

Zuri the Zebra and the Rainbow Race for Kindness (S.H.I.N.E.'s Kindness Adventures Book 2) cover

Zuri the Zebra and the Rainbow Race for Kindness (S.H.I.N.E.'s Kindness Adventures Book 2)

Kaitlyn Vasilko

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Good Walz" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

It was mentioned as a seminal standup album by Gabe Liedman, containing jokes about algorithms before they were a common topic.

Fifty Shades of Grey 10th Anniversary Edition (Fifty Shades of Grey Series, 1) cover

Fifty Shades of Grey 10th Anniversary Edition (Fifty Shades of Grey Series, 1)

E L James

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Good Walz" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

It was referenced during a discussion about Kamala Harris's running mate selection, with a humorous comparison to the book's themes of dominance and submission.

Ding dong last culture is calling back at the table back at the Fifty Shades table

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Most Recommended

Runaways: The Complete Collection Vol. 1: The Complete Collection Volume 1 Cover

Brian K. Vaughan

Runaways

The Complete Collection Vol. 1

It was mentioned during a discussion about theatre director Liz Swados and the character Cole Escola played that was based on her. He discussed her legacy as a downtown, Lower East Side theatre presence.

"

...she wrote the show "Runaways" it was Tony-nominated back back in the day...

— Episode: "Patti Lupone Marked It” (w/ Cole Escola...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: "Patti Lupone Marked It” (w/ Cole Escola)

It was mentioned during a discussion about theatre director Liz Swados and the character Cole Escola played that was based on her. He discussed her legacy as a downtown, Lower East Side theatre presence.

"

...she wrote the show "Runaways" it was Tony-nominated back back in the day...

In Xanadu Cover

William Hamilton-Dalrymple

In Xanadu

Cole Escola mentioned that instead of seeing "Gypsy" he saw this show instead, and loved it so much that he saw it twice.

"

...I instead chose to see "Xanadu".

— Episode: "Patti Lupone Marked It” (w/ Cole Escola...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: "Patti Lupone Marked It” (w/ Cole Escola)

Cole Escola mentioned that instead of seeing "Gypsy" he saw this show instead, and loved it so much that he saw it twice.

"

...I instead chose to see "Xanadu".

...I fucking loved that I saw twice.

Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement Cover

Tarana Burke

Unbound

My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement

Padma mentioned wanting to read this memoir in the future, as it was noted that it was an older book.

"

One I really want to read, which is old now, but I really want to read it.

— Episode: "Big Gay Iconography" (w/ Padma Lakshmi)

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Episode: "Big Gay Iconography" (w/ Padma Lakshmi)

Padma mentioned wanting to read this memoir in the future, as it was noted that it was an older book.

"

One I really want to read, which is old now, but I really want to read it.

Portia de Rossi's.

Go, Dog Go (I Can Read It All By Myself, Beginner Books) Cover

P.D. Eastman

Go, Dog Go (I Can Read It All By Myself, Beginner Books)

Casey Jost stated that if he had to choose a favorite book, it would be 'Go Dog Go' due to its focus on dogs and their activities.

"

If I have to pick a favorite book, which is a hilarious scenario, I pick Go Dog Go. That describes the actions and interactions of a group of highly motivated dogs who operate cars and other conveyanc...

— Episode: "I Don't Think So, Honey! 9" (Part One)

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Episode: "I Don't Think So, Honey! 9" (Part One)

Casey Jost stated that if he had to choose a favorite book, it would be 'Go Dog Go' due to its focus on dogs and their activities.

"

If I have to pick a favorite book, which is a hilarious scenario, I pick Go Dog Go. That describes the actions and interactions of a group of highly motivated dogs who operate cars and other conveyances in pursuit of work, play, and a final mysterious goal, a dog party.

The Incendiaries: A Novel Cover

R. O. Kwon

The Incendiaries

A Novel

It was described as a good read, a murder mystery, and was mentioned in the context of libraries and their culture. It was read by one of the podcast hosts in a short time frame.

"

She's like a murder mystery writer. She's Irish.

— Episode: "Google Search Apple Box Pizza Shop" (w/...

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Episode: "Google Search Apple Box Pizza Shop" (w/ Abra Taba...

It was described as a good read, a murder mystery, and was mentioned in the context of libraries and their culture. It was read by one of the podcast hosts in a short time frame.

"

She's like a murder mystery writer. She's Irish.

Her name is Tana French.

It was very good. It's great.

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek Cover

Maya Van Wagenen

Popular

Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

It was a WB show discussed as being formative for Chrissy, and a high school show with satirical elements that tackled topics like menstruation in a campy way, also referencing its release on DVD box sets.

"

Popular, Ryan Murphy's show on the WB

— Episode: "Choices, Honey" (w/ Chrissy Shackelford...

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Episode: "Choices, Honey" (w/ Chrissy Shackelford)

It was a WB show discussed as being formative for Chrissy, and a high school show with satirical elements that tackled topics like menstruation in a campy way, also referencing its release on DVD box sets.

"

Popular, Ryan Murphy's show on the WB

It was this high school show With this like ridiculous satire But also like lived in the genre Of a high school show But then out of nowhere There's a character called like Mary Cherry She's from Texas And her mother is Delta Burke Her name is Cherry Cherry There's one episode where all the women Get trapped in a bathroom It's called Caged Because they're all on their periods So they're all episode Freaking out together Because they're all on their period And they all reveal their secrets Mary Cherry played by Leslie Gross Who's gone on to do nothing Which is a travesty I mean she pops up in some shows She was on What I Like About You That Dumb Amanda Byn Show That was on Friday She was like a friend They are all trapped Comes up with this like one girl had Webbed fingers and toes Like that was a story On the show And they treat it with like Such like Not cliche What's the word? Mmm Mmm Camp

I was a huge TV on DVD girl Remember when that was like a huge thing When TV shows got on DVD Me and my mom would watch that website Called TV shows on DVD Would have all the release dates for shows That would come out on DVD box sets That is what you got for Christmas and birthdays Is TV shows Yep At least for me I got the Popular disc sets Season 1 And Season 2 I also watched it when I was on WB

Company: The Radically Casual Art of Cooking for Others Cover

Amy Thielen

Company

The Radically Casual Art of Cooking for Others

Henry was inspired by Larry Owens performing Sunday in the Park with George at a piano bar and also explored other works by Sondheim like Company.

"

And then there's all of Company and there's all of like all these great Sondheim.

— Episode: "Die Zauberflöte (He Makes Us Sing)" (w/...

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Episode: "Die Zauberflöte (He Makes Us Sing)" (w/ Henry Kop...

Henry was inspired by Larry Owens performing Sunday in the Park with George at a piano bar and also explored other works by Sondheim like Company.

"

And then there's all of Company and there's all of like all these great Sondheim.

Isn't She Great: Writers on Women Led Comedies from 9 to 5 to Booksmart Cover

Elizabeth Teets

Isn't She Great

Writers on Women Led Comedies from 9 to 5 to Booksmart

It was described as effortlessly funny, with a joke every 30 seconds, and Lisa Kudrow's performance was highlighted as a source of inspiration.

"

I truly think that I'll watch [it] when I am like in the worst mood I want to like give up on comedy and it's truly a joke a minute like or a joke 30 seconds and they're all funny jokes and um Lisa Ku...

— Episode: "Can We Talk About Nicolette?" (w/ Pat R...

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Episode: "Can We Talk About Nicolette?" (w/ Pat Regan)

It was described as effortlessly funny, with a joke every 30 seconds, and Lisa Kudrow's performance was highlighted as a source of inspiration.

"

I truly think that I'll watch [it] when I am like in the worst mood I want to like give up on comedy and it's truly a joke a minute like or a joke 30 seconds and they're all funny jokes and um Lisa Kudrow is so like effortlessly funny in that it's like she's a true she's an inspiration for sure

Did you know two things did you know that Lisa Kudrow improvised the monologue in Romy and Michelle's High School Union about how she created glue?

I Want You Cover

Lisa Hanawalt

I Want You

Jeffrey Self mentioned Aaron Jackson's book, "I Want You So Bad", and recommended listening to the audiobook.

"

Did you read Aaron's book? "I Want You So Bad"? I have not read it yet. It just came out.

— Episode: "Art Chat" (w/ Jeffery Self)

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Episode: "Art Chat" (w/ Jeffery Self)

Jeffrey Self mentioned Aaron Jackson's book, "I Want You So Bad", and recommended listening to the audiobook.

"

Did you read Aaron's book? "I Want You So Bad"? I have not read it yet. It just came out.

Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Celebration of the First Edition (Chronicles of Narnia, 2) Cover

C. S. Lewis

Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

A Celebration of the First Edition (Chronicles of Narnia, 2)

It was mentioned as a book that features a map, which Andrew Ivamy disliked in books in general.

"

Those have maps!

— Episode: "I Don't Think So, Honey! 8" LIVE FROM T...

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Episode: "I Don't Think So, Honey! 8" LIVE FROM TORONTO

It was mentioned as a book that features a map, which Andrew Ivamy disliked in books in general.

"

Those have maps!

Monty Python and the Holy Grail Cover

John Cleese

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Nicole recalled this book having a fun cover but was surprisingly difficult to read, much harder than college texts, and a stark contrast to the humor of the show.

"

There's this book that I got that I can't remember the title of now.

— Episode: "Sports, Sports, Sports!" (w/ Nicole Con...

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Episode: "Sports, Sports, Sports!" (w/ Nicole Conlan)

Nicole recalled this book having a fun cover but was surprisingly difficult to read, much harder than college texts, and a stark contrast to the humor of the show.

"

There's this book that I got that I can't remember the title of now.

I know what book you're talking about. It's like Analyzing Monty Python and it's like a hard book.

Yeah of course it is. It's got like a fun like Flying Circus cover so you're like what is this gonna be? Great Beatreet and then it's like harder than most of the like inter-disciplinary texts I read in college.

Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared) Cover

Thyra Heder

Alfie

(The Turtle That Disappeared)

The podcast guest mentioned writing a fan fiction inspired by the Jude Law remake of this film, focusing on a British womanizer working at a news station in New York.

"

Oh my God. I wrote a whole story about this British womanizer who worked at a news station in New York.

— Episode: "Harry Potter" (w/ Alise Morales)

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Episode: "Harry Potter" (w/ Alise Morales)

The podcast guest mentioned writing a fan fiction inspired by the Jude Law remake of this film, focusing on a British womanizer working at a news station in New York.

"

Oh my God. I wrote a whole story about this British womanizer who worked at a news station in New York.

Unbearable Lightness Publisher: Atria Cover

Portia de Rossi

Unbearable Lightness Publisher

Atria

Sudi Green mentioned that Portia de Rossi's memoir contained details about her eating disorders, suggesting it's a powerful and emotional read.

"

Porsche has a memoir.

— Episode: "Ellen (and the Year 2016)" (w/ Sudi Gre...

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Episode: "Ellen (and the Year 2016)" (w/ Sudi Green)

Sudi Green mentioned that Portia de Rossi's memoir contained details about her eating disorders, suggesting it's a powerful and emotional read.

"

Porsche has a memoir.

She talked about the specifics of what it means to like be bulimic and it was really hard.

A Monograph of the Genus Pezicula and its Anamorphs Cover

Gerard Verkley

A Monograph of the Genus Pezicula and its Anamorphs

The Anamorph series was mentioned in the context of Aaron's formative book choices as a child.

"

into like books at that age it was into the goosebumps the anamorph.

— Episode: "RuPaul's Drag Race: The Finale" (w/ Aar...

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Episode: "RuPaul's Drag Race: The Finale" (w/ Aaron Jackson...

The Anamorph series was mentioned in the context of Aaron's formative book choices as a child.

"

into like books at that age it was into the goosebumps the anamorph.

Michael Connelly Harry Bosch Series 10 Books Collection Set Cover

Michael Connelly Harry Bosch Series 10 Books Collection Set

The books, including the Lincoln Lawyer, were discussed, and it was noted that the actor who narrates the audiobooks mentions Matthew McConaughey's portrayal of the Lincoln Lawyer in the books.

"

And they do overlap in some of the novels I guess I haven't read those but in a recent Bosch book I'm reading the book which is narrated by the actor who plays Bosch on an audiobook. He calls his half...

— Episode: "Break My Arm, Sexually" (w/ Max Silvest...

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Episode: "Break My Arm, Sexually" (w/ Max Silvestri)

The books, including the Lincoln Lawyer, were discussed, and it was noted that the actor who narrates the audiobooks mentions Matthew McConaughey's portrayal of the Lincoln Lawyer in the books.

"

And they do overlap in some of the novels I guess I haven't read those but in a recent Bosch book I'm reading the book which is narrated by the actor who plays Bosch on an audiobook. He calls his half brother Mickey Holler the Lincoln lawyer and his half brother answers hey like hey little brother all right, all right, all right and then in the book it says his brother has taken to doing a Matthew McConaughey impression after they made a movie based on him starring Matthew McConaughey.

It's written by the same author they also made a movie of the Lincoln lawyer with Matthew McConaughey.

Another weird thing about the novels and they've sold 100 million copies is the Lincoln lawyer is the half brother of Bosch.

Okay I get it but another weird thing about the novels

I very much love the show Bosch and it's based on these novels named Bosch but in the novels originally the character of Bosch is rich because there was a Bosch TV show based on a case of this. So the TV show starts and he's got a Bosch poster in his house

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