Reservation Blues
Sherman Alexie
Mentioned 3 months ago
‘Eddie and the Cruisers’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan
Book Recommendations
The Rewatchables
The Rewatchables, a film podcast from the Ringer Podcast Network, features The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and a roundtable of movie lovers from the Ringer universe discussing movies they can’t seem to stop watching. Listen to the complete archives of over 300 movies, including Pulp Fiction, Silence of th...
Episodes
312
Books
239
Recently mentioned
Latest Recommendations
The Book of Basketball
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Zodiac Unmasked
Robert Graysmith
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‘Zodiac’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey
Zodiac
Robert Graysmith
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‘Zodiac’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey
The Films of Eddie Murphy
Mat Bradley-Tschirgi
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‘Another 48 Hrs’ With Bill Simmons Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan
Star
Yukio Mishima
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‘Just One of the Guys’ With Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt, and Joanna Robinson
Presumed Guilty (Presumed Innocent, 3)
Scott Turow
Mentioned 6 months ago
'What Lies Beneath’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Mallory Rubin
Moneyball
Michael Lewis
Mentioned 6 months ago
‘F1’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan
The Big Short
Michael Lewis
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‘F1’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan
The Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck
Mentioned 7 months ago
‘The Sure Thing’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
Fever Pitch
Nick Hornby
Mentioned 7 months ago
‘High Fidelity’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Joanna Robinson, and Rob Mahoney
Most Recommended
The Exorcist
A Novel
The hosts referenced the book while discussing 1970s horror films, noting that it helped define the era’s religious and satanic themes. They described it as a cultural phenomenon alongside titles like The Omen and Carrie. The conversation highlighted its influence on later horror movies without offering a direct recommendation.
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Episode: The Omen’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
They compared The Omen to The Exorcist, indicating it was part of the same wave of 1970s horror dealing with religious and satanic themes.
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This is like The Omen, The Exorcist.
Episode: ‘Halloween’ (1978) with Bill Simmons and Chris Rya...
They said the 1973 film was based on a wellknown novel and called it a phenomenon.
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The Exorcist was a phenomenon. The Omen, 1976. Carrie, Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Adventures in the Screen Trade
A Personal View of Hollywood and the Screenwriting
In the episode the hosts cited an anecdote from the book that highlighted Olivier's behavior during a film production, using it to illustrate a point about the industry. The reference was brief and served as a supporting illustration rather than a recommendation.
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Episode: 'Marathon Man' With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
The speakers referenced an anecdote from this book about Olivier that illustrated his behavior during the film's production.
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There's that awesome anecdote in Adventures in the Screen Trade where Olivier keeps referencing his--the last time he's been in New York and he references like these years.
Episode: ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ With Bill Simmons, Chris...
The conversation referenced Michael Goldman's book Adventures in the Screen Trade while discussing his insights about writing and collaborations.
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And a pretty fascinating character in Adventures in the Screen Trade, the Goldman book when Goldman writes about his issues with writing right stuff and working with Kaufman.
The Color Purple (Penguin Vitae)
The hosts brought up the title while noting Danny Glover's appearance in its film adaptation, referencing his role as an older cop. Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan (with Van Lathan in one episode) mentioned that Glover had been in the movie before his later roles. The discussion was limited to his involvement rather than the book's content, resulting in a casual mention.
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Episode: ‘Lethal Weapon 2’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, a...
The hosts noted that Danny Glover appeared in the film adaptation of The Color Purple.
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Danny Glover is playing an older cop, ... He was in The Color Purple, done some other films.
Episode: ‘Lethal Weapon’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
They mentioned that Glover had been in The Color Purple before his later roles.
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Glover was in color purple before that he bounced around.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Twentieth Anniversary Edition
The hosts recalled reading the book as a cultural reference while discussing the film's literary influences, and later mentioned it when recalling early Daniel Day‑Lewis projects, though they were uncertain about the details. They treated it as a passing literary touchstone rather than a strong endorsement.
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Episode: ‘Kicking and Screaming (1995)’ With Bill Simmons,...
The hosts recalled reading the novel as a cultural reference while discussing the film's literary influences.
"
read The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Episode: ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ With Bill Simmons and C...
The speakers mentioned the novel while recalling early DanielDayLewis films, indicating it as one of his projects but expressing uncertainty about the details.
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And then with Daniel DayLewis in 88 and 89, he makes Unbearable Lightness of Being, Ever Smile New Jersey, which I don't even remember that movie.
The Dead Zone
The hosts referenced the book as a classic Stephen King adaptation, noting its performances and legacy while comparing it to other King titles. They listed it among several King novels they enjoyed, mentioning its influence on pop culture moments like a SNL sketch. Overall, the discussion treated the title as a notable but not heavily emphasized entry in King’s bibliography.
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Episode: ‘Misery’ With Bill Simmons and Brian Koppelman
The hosts repeatedly referenced The Dead Zone as a classic King adaptation and discussed its performances and legacy.
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And you go through his list, like Carrie, The Dead Zone, Misery, like just over and over again.
Firestarter, which has the weirdest George C. Scott performance ever. I think, I actually think he might be either dead or so drunk that he can't, I don't, just don't know what's going on with that movie. And The Dead Zone, The Dead Zone is, it's fine, but he... the trivial psychic Christopher Walken thing pushed that to another level on SNL.
The Dead Zone, The Dead Zone is, it's fine, but I think the trivial psychic Christopher Walken thing pushed that to another level on SNL.
Episode: ‘Stand By Me’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
The novel was listed among other Stephen King titles the hosts liked.
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I like Christine. I like Cujo. I like Maximum Overdrive. I like The Dead Zone.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
A Novel
The hosts—Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey—grouped the title with other Watergate-era works, highlighting its classic sci‑fi relevance. They later recommended it as a double‑feature pick, calling it a no‑brainer and noting that either the original novel adaptation or the 1970s remake would work. Their overall tone was strongly positive, presenting the book as an essential watch for fans.
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Episode: ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ With Bill Sim...
The classic scifi novel was grouped with other Watergateera works in the discussion.
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Conversation, all the President's Men, Parallax View, Three Days of the Condor, Capricorn One, China Syndrome, Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Episode: ‘They Live’ LIVE From L.A. With Bill Simmons, Chri...
The hosts recommended it as a doublefeature choice, calling it a nobrainer and noting that either the original novel adaptation or the 1970s remake would work.
"
Invasion of the Body Snatcher is kind of a nobrainer. Either the original or the 70s version.
The Queen's Gambit
The hosts discussed the book when noting that it introduced a chess element they had not seen before, which the series later captured well. They also mentioned that the author had been in the news recently because his novel had been adapted. Overall, the book was referenced as an interesting source of inspiration rather than being strongly recommended.
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Episode: ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’ With Bill Simmons, V...
The hosts noted that they had not seen a chess element like the one in the movie until they watched the series "Queens Gambit", referencing the book's influence on their perception.
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It's got this really cool chest pot that I've never really seen in a movie until Queens Gambit, which I thought did a nice job with it.
Episode: ‘The Color of Money’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan...
It was noted that Walter Tevis had recently been in the news for writing the novel The Queen's Gambit, which was later adapted.
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Walter Tevis, of course, I mean, he's been in the news quite a bit lately because he wrote The Queen's Gambit novel, which was then adapted last year.
The Ice Storm
The hosts referenced the book as a point of comparison while discussing horror influences, mentioning it alongside other titles. They did not elaborate further, indicating it was a casual mention rather than a strong endorsement.
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Episode: ‘Hereditary’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Se...
The hosts mentioned the novel as a reference point while discussing other horror influences.
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The Ice Storm, Ordinary People.
Episode: ‘The Ice Storm’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and...
The hosts noted that the film was based on Rick Moody's 1994 novel and said the book moved them emotionally, especially its climax.
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It's based on Rick Moody's 1994 book, who saw a cut of it and cried at the end and was like, my God, they got it.
Ang Lee said what attracted him to the book was the climax ... He said, the book moved me at those two points. I knew there was a movie there.
Fever Pitch
The book was brought up as another Nick Hornby novel that shaped the hosts' perspective, with its tone compared to High Fidelity and its focus on an English man trying to hold onto childhood passions. Later, the panel debated whether it warranted a rewatchable episode, noting the film adaptation was poorly received. Overall, the discussion was more of a casual reference than a strong endorsement.
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Episode: ‘The Town’ With Bill Simmons, Ryen Russillo, and C...
They mentioned the book while debating its suitability for a rewatchable episode.
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Fever Pitch one. He's going to stare a hole through your skull right now.
It's a new generation. That movie is terrible.
Episode: ‘High Fidelity’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Joa...
The hosts compared the novel's tone to the High Fidelity book, mentioning it as another of Hornby's works that influenced their perspective on the story.
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It's set in London. It's like a twin with Fever Pitch in that sort of like Peter Pan, English male, trying to hang on to the things that he loved as a child as he becomes an adult.
Rosemary's Baby
In the episode discussing Hereditary, the hosts referenced the title alongside The Exorcist, noting it as an iconic horror novel. The mention highlighted its status as a classic in the genre without a detailed endorsement.
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Episode: ‘Hereditary’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Se...
The novel was mentioned alongside The Exorcist as an iconic horror book.
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The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby.
Episode: The Omen’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
They mentioned it as the first horror film that introduced the Antichrist theme, noting its influence on later movies like The Omen.
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And just things that really weren't in the mix until Rosemary's Baby, I guess, was the first one.
The Rainmaker
A Novel
The hosts mentioned that Damon acquired the novel, noting it as a successful Grisham title that illustrated the commercial potential of their screenplay. They highlighted how such movies have generated huge box‑office returns, using the book as an example of a profitable property.
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Episode: ‘Good Will Hunting’ Live From Boston With Bill Sim...
The hosts noted that Damon acquired the novel The Rainmaker, highlighting it as an example of a successful Grisham book that helped demonstrate the commercial potential of their screenplay.
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the big thing was Damon got The Rainmaker, which was a John Grissom book, when those Grissom books made it. And they told Harvey. And he was like, oh my God, those movies make $100 million.
Episode: ‘Primal Fear’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and S...
The book was listed among several Grisham titles that helped popularize modern courtroom dramas.
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The Client, Just Cause, Primal Fear, Time to Kill, Devil's Advocate, 1990. 1997, The Rainmaker, Liar Liar.
The Godfather Notebook
The hosts referenced the companion book to point out that Mario Puzo knew little about the mafia when he wrote the novel, citing Coppola's own notes. The book was mentioned as a source for this background detail rather than being recommended.
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Episode: ‘The Godfather’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey,...
Coppola's own book, "The Godfather Notebook," was cited as noting that Mario Puzo knew little about the mafia when he wrote the novel.
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Coppola notes about Puzo's book, in his book, The Godfather Notebook, is that Puzo didn't really know anything about the mafia.
Episode: ‘The Godfather’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey,...
Coppola's companion book was cited as noting that Mario Puzo was largely ignorant about the mafia when writing the original novel.
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Coppola notes about Puzo's book, in his book, The Godfather Notebook, is that Puzo didn't really know anything about the mafia.
Niagara Falls, or Does It? (Hank Zipzer, the World's Greatest Underachiever, 1)
The King novel was brought up as another possible inclusion in the list of good adaptations.
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I think some people would put It, the first It, not the sequel.
— Episode: ‘Stand By Me’ With Bill Simmons and Chri...
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Episode: ‘Stand By Me’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
The King novel was brought up as another possible inclusion in the list of good adaptations.
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I think some people would put It, the first It, not the sequel.
High Performance Habits
How Extraordinary People Become That Way
They listed the novel alongside other literary works that inspired horror themes.
"
The Ice Storm, Ordinary People.
— Episode: ‘Hereditary’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ry...
Listen on Audible
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Episode: ‘Hereditary’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Se...
They listed the novel alongside other literary works that inspired horror themes.
"
The Ice Storm, Ordinary People.
Hardy Boys Starter Set - Books 1-5 (The Hardy Boys)
They referenced a book about Warren Beatty titled Star, praised as a good work by Biscayne.
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the book that was written about him, which is really good by Biscayne, it's called Star.
— Episode: ‘Shampoo’ With Bill Simmons, Cameron Cro...
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Episode: ‘Shampoo’ With Bill Simmons, Cameron Crowe, and Se...
They referenced a book about Warren Beatty titled Star, praised as a good work by Biscayne.
"
the book that was written about him, which is really good by Biscayne, it's called Star.
The Canterbury Tales (Penguin Clothbound Classics)
The hosts mentioned that a character was reading Chaucer, indicating the medieval tales were part of the film's literary backdrop.
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you get the impression he's reading Dante, he's reading Chaucer, he's getting interested in those stories and that's driving a lot of this.
— Episode: ‘Se7en’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennesse...
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Episode: ‘Se7en’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chr...
The hosts mentioned that a character was reading Chaucer, indicating the medieval tales were part of the film's literary backdrop.
"
you get the impression he's reading Dante, he's reading Chaucer, he's getting interested in those stories and that's driving a lot of this.
The Da Vinci Code
The hosts mentioned the book while comparing a recent film to a darker, more serious movie, noting that the last one they discussed was essentially the DaVinciCode.
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The last one was basically Da Vinci Code. I love Dead Poets.
— Episode: ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ Wit...
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Episode: ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ With Bill Sim...
The hosts mentioned the book while comparing a recent film to a darker, more serious movie, noting that the last one they discussed was essentially the DaVinciCode.
"
The last one was basically Da Vinci Code. I love Dead Poets.
The Amityville Horror AND 666
They recalled that their uncle owned a copy of the Amityville Horror book and thumbed through it before the movie came out, noting how the red cover left a strong impression.
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my uncle Rick, my mom's brother, he had the Amityville Horror book and I remember thumbing through it before the movie came out and it kind of was imprinted on my brain. It's the red cover
— Episode: ‘The Conjuring’ With Bill Simmons, Sean...
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Episode: ‘The Conjuring’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey,...
They recalled that their uncle owned a copy of the Amityville Horror book and thumbed through it before the movie came out, noting how the red cover left a strong impression.
"
my uncle Rick, my mom's brother, he had the Amityville Horror book and I remember thumbing through it before the movie came out and it kind of was imprinted on my brain. It's the red cover
Love & Marriage
The Love Story of Nancy & Frank
The novel was referenced as a massive hit that preceded The Godfather, described as a "huge book" linked to the successful movie adaptation.
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the book point is Love Story was the movie that Paramount had put out right before this and was a huge hit and was a huge book.
— Episode: ‘The Godfather’ With Bill Simmons, Sean...
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Episode: ‘The Godfather’ With Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey,...
The novel was referenced as a massive hit that preceded The Godfather, described as a "huge book" linked to the successful movie adaptation.
"
the book point is Love Story was the movie that Paramount had put out right before this and was a huge hit and was a huge book.
Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set
Books 1-7 (Slipcase)
The hosts likened the movie's hiddeninplainsight magic to the way muggles in Harry Potter are unable to see magical things because they don't look closely enough.
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It reminds me a little bit of the fact that in Harry Potter, muggles, they can't see things that are right there simply because they do not bother to look.
— Episode: ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ With Bill S...
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Episode: ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ With Bill Simmons, Ch...
The hosts likened the movie's hiddeninplainsight magic to the way muggles in Harry Potter are unable to see magical things because they don't look closely enough.
"
It reminds me a little bit of the fact that in Harry Potter, muggles, they can't see things that are right there simply because they do not bother to look.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.