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
Bill Simmons
Mentioned 5 months ago
‘Zodiac’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey
How to Find Zodiac
Jarett Kobek
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‘Zodiac’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey
Zodiac Unmasked
Robert Graysmith
Mentioned 5 months ago
‘Zodiac’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey
Zodiac
Robert Graysmith
Mentioned 5 months ago
‘Zodiac’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey
The Films of Eddie Murphy
Mat Bradley-Tschirgi
Mentioned 5 months ago
‘Another 48 Hrs’ With Bill Simmons Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan
Star
Yukio Mishima
Mentioned 6 months ago
‘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
Mentioned 6 months ago
‘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
Death Sentence
The Inside Story of the John List Murders
During the episode, Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan noted that the author had written a followup novel as a response to the movie, mentioning the title as a continuation of the story. They referenced it briefly without offering a recommendation or detailed analysis. The discussion was limited to noting its connection to the film.
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Episode: ‘Death Wish’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
They mentioned that Garfield wrote a followup novel titled Death Sentence as a response to the movie.
"
He wrote a followup called Death Sentence, which was a response to this movie.
The Uncool
A Memoir
During the episode, Bill Simmons announced the release of his new memoir, mentioning the title as his latest work. The discussion was limited to this announcement without further commentary or recommendation.
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Episode: ‘Shampoo’ With Bill Simmons, Cameron Crowe, and Se...
Bill Simmons announced his new book, The Uncool, during the episode.
"
And you have a new book, The Uncool.
Star Wars Encyclopedia
The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
Van Lathan recalled spending hours reading the encyclopedia at a local bookstore, expressing admiration for its content while noting he could not afford to purchase the title.
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Episode: ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ (Part One) With Bill Simmo...
The speaker recalled spending hours reading the Star Wars encyclopedia at a local bookstore, noting that he could not afford to purchase the book.
"
I would just sit in the bookstore. And I would read the Star Wars Encyclopedia for hours. I couldn't afford to buy the book.
The Biscuit
The History of a Very British Indulgence
In the episode, Bill Simmons cited the book as the best source for grasping how Star Wars reshaped the film industry, noting its insights into the financial boom that led to multiplex construction. He highlighted the title’s thorough analysis of the franchise’s economic impact. The hosts treated it as a definitive reference, indicating strong endorsement.
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Episode: ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ (Part One) With Bill Simmo...
They referred to the Biscuit book as the best source for understanding the impact of Star Wars on the industry.
"
And Lucas has all the stuff that he's talked about. Look, people get mad about Star Wars ruined movies. And meanwhile, we built multiplexes all over the country and the world because of the money people made from this movie. ... The Biscuit book is the best one for this.
Friday Night Lights
A Town, A Team, And A Dream
The hosts recalled reading the book in college and described it as one of the best sports books ever, praising its lasting impact. They highlighted that it achieved a "triple crown" by inspiring both a celebrated film and a TV series. Their discussion conveyed strong enthusiasm for the title.
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Episode: ‘Friday Night Lights’ With Bill Simmons and Mallor...
They recalled reading the book in college and praised it as one of the best sports books ever, noting its influence on the film and TV series.
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I go way back to the book coming out when I was in college, Buzz Bissinger's book.
And it was one of the best sports books, not only the 80s, but probably ever.
This did the triple crown of the book, the movie, and the TV series.
The book came out in 1990.
A SEASON ON THE BRINK
The hosts referenced the book about Bobby Knight as a chronological marker, noting it had been released two years before the Friday Night Lights story they were discussing. They used it simply as a point of comparison rather than endorsing it.
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Episode: ‘Friday Night Lights’ With Bill Simmons and Mallor...
They mentioned the book about Bobby Knight as a reference point, indicating it was released two years before the Friday Night Lights story.
"
It was two years after Season of the Brink with the John Feinstein book about Bobby Knight.
Breaks of the Game
In the Friday Night Lights episode, the hosts cited the book as a hallmark of the sports literature that set the stage for that decade. They positioned it as an early example that helped define the era’s narrative about athletics. The overall tone was appreciative but brief, indicating it was noted rather than deeply endorsed.
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Episode: ‘Friday Night Lights’ With Bill Simmons and Mallor...
They referenced the book as part of the era's sports literature that preceded the Friday Night Lights story.
"
And it was just this glory stretch of, it started with Breaks of the Game, the beginning of that decade.
George's Marvelous Medicine
They noted that Billy Crystal authored a 1986 book titled Absolutely Marvelous, in which he recounted accidentally shooting himself in the head with a pistol, breaking his nose and requiring plastic surgery.
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Speaking of Billy Crystal, in his 1986 book, Absolutely Marvelous, he said he accidentally whacked himself in the head with a pistol by accident, split open his nose, and needed plastic surgery.
— Episode: ‘Running Scared’ (1986) With Bill Simmon...
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Episode: ‘Running Scared’ (1986) With Bill Simmons and Chri...
They noted that Billy Crystal authored a 1986 book titled Absolutely Marvelous, in which he recounted accidentally shooting himself in the head with a pistol, breaking his nose and requiring plastic surgery.
"
Speaking of Billy Crystal, in his 1986 book, Absolutely Marvelous, he said he accidentally whacked himself in the head with a pistol by accident, split open his nose, and needed plastic surgery.
Did you know that book existed?
A scanner darkly
The hosts noted that the film they were reviewing was based on the novel by Philip K. Dick, acknowledging the book as the source material for the adaptation. They did not delve into its themes or merits, simply referencing it in passing.
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Episode: ‘The Replacements’ With Bill Simmons and Van Latha...
They mentioned A Scanner Darkly as a film adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel, acknowledging its source material.
"
A scanner darkly.
The Lycanthrope's Lawyer
An Urban Fantasy Legal Thriller (Arcane Justice Book 2)
In an episode, Bill introduced the new paperback, explaining that it centered on a lawyer who defends werewolves when they are arrested. He noted the title reflected the premise directly, presenting it as a quirky urban‑fantasy legal thriller, and the hosts mentioned it without further endorsement.
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Episode: ‘John Wick’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and She...
Bill announced a brandnew paperback titled Werewolf Lawyer, describing it as literally about a lawyer who defends werewolves when they are arrested.
"
I have a new book that just came out. It's called Werewolf Lawyer, which is exactly what it sounds like. It's about lawyer for werewolves. That's the guy they call when they get arrested and charged with a crime.
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
A Novel
During a discussion of era movies, Chris Ryan briefly referenced the title while noting its relevance to the period. He mentioned it in passing without offering a detailed analysis or recommendation. The mention served mainly as a casual nod to the novel’s cultural context.
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Episode: ‘John Wick’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and She...
Chris briefly referenced the novel The Private Lives of Pippa Lee while discussing movies from the era.
"
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, easy to assemble Henry's chime generation.
The New Biographical Dictionary of Film
Sixth Edition
The host recalled that his dad had given him a copy of the title, which he had read for film research and referenced while discussing the episode. He mentioned it as a useful resource he consulted, but did not make a formal recommendation.
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Episode: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (Part 1) With Bill Simmons, Chris R...
The host said his dad had given him a copy of David Thompson's Biographical Dictionary of Film, which he recalled reading for film research.
"
I just had a book my dad gave me by this writer, David Thompson. It was called the Biographical Dictionary of Film.
The Great Movies
During the discussion of the film, one of the hosts mentioned that a critic had placed the movie in the pages of the book, using it as a reference for its critical standing. The comment highlighted the book as a recognized source for identifying great movies, but no further endorsement was offered.
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Episode: ‘Pulp Fiction’ (Part 1) With Bill Simmons, Chris R...
One of the speakers noted that a critic had placed the film in the pages of The Great Movies book.
"
He put it in The Great Movies book.
The Big Clock ( Cover has Ray Milland & Actress )
The hosts highlighted that the 1946 novel was the source material for the film and suggested it as a decent alternative, noting it was good but not as twisty as the movie. They presented it as a worthwhile watch for listeners interested in the story’s origins.
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Episode: ‘No Way Out’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Se...
The hosts noted that the 1946 novel by Kenneth Fearing was the source material for the film and suggested it as a good, though less twisty, alternative watch.
"
Well, The Big Clock would be a good one, even though it's not as good or as twisty as this movie.
The Talented Mr Ripley (Vintage Quarterbound Classics)
The hosts briefly referenced the novel when noting Philip Seymour Hoffman's appearance in its film adaptation, listing it alongside his other movies. They did not discuss the story itself, merely using it as an example of his varied roles. The mention was casual and not a recommendation.
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Episode: ‘Twister’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van L...
The speakers noted that Philip Seymour Hoffman appeared in the film adaptation of the novel, mentioning it while comparing his other roles.
"
He's in Boogie Nights ... he's in the talented Mr. Ripley.
I wouldn't throw in Ripley in that, but I could see the Boogie Nights, Twister, Scent of a Woman.
The Sweet Forever
The hosts highlighted the title as one of their favorite novels, noting its crime narrative set against the backdrop of Len Bias’s final season at Maryland. Both Chris and Andy praised its storytelling, positioning it as a standout recommendation for listeners.
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Episode: ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ With Chris Ryan, Andy Gr...
The hosts mentioned it as one of their favorite novels, describing it as a crime story set against the backdrop of Len Bias's final season at Maryland.
"
One of me and Andy's favorite novels is The Sweet Forever, which is a George Pelicanos book that is a crime story told with the backdrop of Len Bias's last season at Maryland.
All the President's Men
The hosts referenced the title as a classic example of political journalism when comparing the film's plot to established narratives, noting its lasting influence on the genre. They mentioned it in passing during the discussion of the movie, without offering a strong endorsement.
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Episode: ‘The Pelican Brief’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan,...
The book was referenced when comparing the Pelican Brief's plot to classic politicaljournalism narratives, highlighting its influence on the genre.
"
Pelican brief instead of All the President's Men.
The Ladies' Man
A Fake Dating Surprise Pregnancy Romance – A Charming Contemporary Small Town Story of Unexpected Love (Positively Pregnant Book 1778)
The hosts said it was a 1978 novel by Richard Price that originated from a Penthouse assignment about public places and sexual encounters.
"
inspired by Price Road in 1978 novel called The Ladies Man
— Episode: ‘Sea of Love’ With Bill Simmons, Chris R...
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Episode: ‘Sea of Love’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and W...
The hosts said it was a 1978 novel by Richard Price that originated from a Penthouse assignment about public places and sexual encounters.
"
inspired by Price Road in 1978 novel called The Ladies Man
the book was an assignment from Penthouse they wanted a series of three articles about public places in which you can go and either participate in or observe actual sex
Serpico
The hosts briefly noted that the film Serpico was based on a novel about a rookie New York cop, mentioning the title as an example of a rookie‑of‑the‑year story. No detailed discussion of the book’s content or quality was provided.
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Episode: ‘Sea of Love’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and W...
They referred to Serpico as a film based on a novel about a rookie New York cop.
"
Serpico, where he's playing a New York cop, and he's like, he's the rookie of the year
An Actor and a Gentleman
The hosts noted that Louis Gossett Jr. authored a 2010 book titled An Actor and a Gentleman, mentioning it in passing during the episode.
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Episode: ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ With Bill Simmons, Ch...
Gosset authored a 2010 book titled "An Actor and a Gentleman".
"
Gosset wrote a book in 2010 called An Actor and a Gentleman.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.