Sidewalk
Mitchell Duneier
Mentioned 4 months ago
208: Office Politics
Book Recommendations
This American Life
Each week we choose a theme. Then anything can happen. This American Life is true stories that unfold like little movies for radio. Personal stories with funny moments, big feelings, and surprising plot twists. Newsy stories that try to capture what it’s like to be alive right now. It’s the most pop...
Episodes
102
Books
129
Recently mentioned
Latest Recommendations
The Fraud
Zadie Smith
Mentioned 4 months ago
208: Office Politics
The Baby-sitters Club #1-7 Graphic Novel Box Set
Raina Telgemeier
Mentioned 4 months ago
208: Office Politics
The Scientist in the Crib
Alison Gopnik
Mentioned 5 months ago
605: Kid Logic
Nothing to See Here
Kevin Wilson
Mentioned 5 months ago
605: Kid Logic
Be a Great Stand-up
Logan Murray
Mentioned 6 months ago
879: A Christian and a Muslim Walk Into a Bar
Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set
J. K. Rowling
Mentioned 6 months ago
878: New Lore Drop
Naked in Death
J. D. Robb
Mentioned 6 months ago
878: New Lore Drop
Correction
Thomas Bernhard
Mentioned 6 months ago
878: New Lore Drop
T*Witches
Randi Reisfeld
Mentioned 6 months ago
878: New Lore Drop
Barrel Fever
David Sedaris
Mentioned 6 months ago
Christmas and Commerce
Holidays on Ice
David Sedaris
Mentioned 6 months ago
Christmas and Commerce
Most Recommended
The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set Hardcover Illustrated edition 2020 June 25
The book was referenced in passing during a casual conversation about podcasts and media the judges were listening to, with no specific endorsement or critique. It was mentioned simply as part of the broader discussion.
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 868: The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
The book was mentioned in passing as part of a casual conversation about podcasts and media the judges were listening to.
"
and the press and the lawyers are just standing around chit-chatting about the podcast they listen to or Lord of the Rings.
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks
A children's book about civilrights activist Rosa Parks was mentioned among the titles being challenged by a school board.
"
including a children's book about Rosa Parks.
— Episode: 758: Talking While Black
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 758: Talking While Black
A children's book about civilrights activist Rosa Parks was mentioned among the titles being challenged by a school board.
"
including a children's book about Rosa Parks.
Surviving Autocracy
Masha Gessen's book Surviving Autocracy, which examines Donald Trump's autocratic tendencies, was referenced several times.
"
Mascha wrote about the bully lie in their book about Donald Trump's first term. The book is called Surviving Autocracy. That's what I asked him to read from a little earlier.
— Episode: 855: That’s a Weird Thing to Lie About
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 855: That’s a Weird Thing to Lie About
Masha Gessen's book Surviving Autocracy, which examines Donald Trump's autocratic tendencies, was referenced several times.
"
Mascha wrote about the bully lie in their book about Donald Trump's first term. The book is called Surviving Autocracy. That's what I asked him to read from a little earlier.
Masha Gessen. Their book about Donald Trump and his autocratic tendencies is called Surviving Autocracy.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
The host noted that Marlon Brando had not read the novel the film was based on, Heart of Darkness, which left him without a clear sense of his character.
"
Brando has not read the book that the movie is based on, Heart of Darkness. So he does not get who his character is.
— Episode: 877: The Making Of
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 877: The Making Of
The host noted that Marlon Brando had not read the novel the film was based on, Heart of Darkness, which left him without a clear sense of his character.
"
Brando has not read the book that the movie is based on, Heart of Darkness. So he does not get who his character is.
Run Towards the Danger
Confrontations with a Body of Memory
The book, titled Run Towards the Danger, was described as being filled with deeply personal and sometimes upsetting stories from the author's life.
"
And it's called Run Towards the Danger. It's full of deeply personal, sometimes really upsetting stories from her life.
— Episode: 837: Swim Towards the Shark
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 837: Swim Towards the Shark
The book, titled Run Towards the Danger, was described as being filled with deeply personal and sometimes upsetting stories from the author's life.
"
And it's called Run Towards the Danger. It's full of deeply personal, sometimes really upsetting stories from her life.
The Sports Gene
Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance
The author appeared on the show and explained that the book examined why certain elite athletes possess distinct genetic traits, describing it as an exploration of the science behind extraordinary performance. He noted that his work highlighted examples such as Jill Viles and Priscilla LopesSchliep. The discussion centered on the book’s premise rather than offering a direct recommendation.
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 577: Something Only I Can See
David Epstein said he wrote the book to explore how some elite athletes have distinct genetic traits, and it later referenced Jill Viles and Priscilla LopesSchliep.
"
I wrote a book called The Sports Gene. It's partly about how some super athletes are genetically different from the rest of us.
Fire on the Prairie
Harold Washington, Chicago Politics, and the Roots of the Obama Presidency (Urban Life, Landscape and Policy)
The hosts recommended the book as a great history of Harold Washington's years, noting it served as a comprehensive source for the episode's background. They highlighted its thorough coverage of Chicago politics and its relevance to understanding the roots of the Obama presidency.
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 869: Harold
The book was recommended as a great history of Harold Washington's years, serving as a comprehensive source for the episode's background.
"
We recommend his book Fire on the Prairie. It's a great history of the Washington years.
The Gospel of Matthew (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture)
(A Catholic Bible Commentary on the New Testament by Trusted Catholic Biblical Scholars - CCSS)
The host referenced the book of Matthew when noting Jesus's teaching about lustful thoughts.
"
There's this thing that Jesus says in the book of Matthew. Whoever looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery in his heart.
— Episode: 332: The Ten Commandments
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 332: The Ten Commandments
The host referenced the book of Matthew when noting Jesus's teaching about lustful thoughts.
"
There's this thing that Jesus says in the book of Matthew. Whoever looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery in his heart.
Encyclopedia Brown Box Set (4 Books)
The speakers recalled swearing each other in on a copy of their favorite book, Cyclopedia Brown, during their childhood.
"
They swore each other in on a copy of our favorite book and Cyclopedia Brown was mine.
— Episode: 828: Minor Crimes Division
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 828: Minor Crimes Division
The speakers recalled swearing each other in on a copy of their favorite book, Cyclopedia Brown, during their childhood.
"
They swore each other in on a copy of our favorite book and Cyclopedia Brown was mine.
Double Love (Sweet Valley High #1)
Francine Pascal explained that she had written or invented the plot lines for 700 paperback books in the Sweet Valley High series and noted that prom appeared in many of them.
"
has written or invented the plot lines for 700 books in the Sweet Valley High series
— Episode: 186: Prom
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 186: Prom
Francine Pascal explained that she had written or invented the plot lines for 700 paperback books in the Sweet Valley High series and noted that prom appeared in many of them.
"
has written or invented the plot lines for 700 books in the Sweet Valley High series
out of the 700 books all high i probably prom is mentioned in at least 500 of them
about 35 books actually take place at the prom
There Are No Children Here
The book was highlighted as Alex Kotlowitz's bestknown work about innercity violence and trauma.
"
He's probably best known for his book, There Are No Children Here.
— Episode: 484: Doppelgängers
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 484: Doppelgängers
The book was highlighted as Alex Kotlowitz's bestknown work about innercity violence and trauma.
"
He's probably best known for his book, There Are No Children Here.
Dreams from My Father
A Story of Race and Inheritance
The book was cited as a source that contained a passage describing Chicago in the immediate aftermath of Harold Washington's death, which the episode used to illustrate the historical context of the story. The host referenced the passage, noting how Obama narrated the event in his audiobook. This mention highlighted the book's relevance as a firsthand account of that period.
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 869: Harold
The book was cited as a source that includes a passage describing the circumstances around Harold Washington's death, illustrating its relevance to the story.
"
In fact, there's a passage in Dreams from My Father about this when he writes about what Chicago was like immediately after Harold's death.
The day before Thanksgiving, Harold Washington died. This is Obama reading on the audiobook. It occurred without warning, sudden, simple, final, almost ridiculous in its ordinariness, the heart of an overweight man giving way.
New Teeth
Stories
The collection was mentioned as Simon Rich's most recent anthology of short stories.
"
His most recent collection of short stories is called New Teeth.
— Episode: 815: How I Learned to Shave
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 815: How I Learned to Shave
The collection was mentioned as Simon Rich's most recent anthology of short stories.
"
His most recent collection of short stories is called New Teeth.
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself (Limited Edition Premium Hardcover)
The book was mentioned as the title Micah was reading at the time of her death.
"
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself was the title of the book she was reading when she died.
— Episode: 858: How to Tell a Dumb American Story
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 858: How to Tell a Dumb American Story
The book was mentioned as the title Micah was reading at the time of her death.
"
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself was the title of the book she was reading when she died.
The Scientist in the Crib
Minds, Brains, And How Children Learn
The episode highlighted the book as a synthesis of research showing that infants act as little scientists, actively observing and drawing logical conclusions from birth. Ira Glass introduced the work, emphasizing its insight into child cognition and how it reframes babies as rational learners rather than irrational beings.
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 605: Kid Logic
The book summarized research suggesting that babies are not irrational but are actively observing the world and coming to logical conclusions from birth, much like little scientists.
"
When Allison Gopnett and two of her colleagues decided to summarize a lot of this research in a book, they called it The Scientist in the Crib.
Meaning that babies are like little scientists.
Glory Days
Stories
The host mentioned that Simon Rich's latest book, whose title was noted, was part of the episode's discussion. No further recommendation or critique was offered, making it a brief, casual mention.
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 638: Rom-Com
The host noted that Simon Rich's latest book is titled Glory Days.
"
Rich's latest book is called Glory Days.
When Prophecy Fails
Zach Mack mentioned that he had been reading books titled When Prophecy Fails during the year.
"
As the year sped by, I read books with titles like When Prophecy Fails.
— Episode: 854: Ten Things I Don't Want to Hate Abo...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 854: Ten Things I Don't Want to Hate About You
Zach Mack mentioned that he had been reading books titled When Prophecy Fails during the year.
"
As the year sped by, I read books with titles like When Prophecy Fails.
Stamped from the Beginning
The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America (National Book Award Winner)
The podcast noted that after George Floyd's murder, sales of Blackauthored books surged, mentioning this title among the bestsellers.
"
After the murder of George Floyd, sales of Black books skyrocketed. Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning, The New Jim Crow.
— Episode: 758: Talking While Black
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 758: Talking While Black
The podcast noted that after George Floyd's murder, sales of Blackauthored books surged, mentioning this title among the bestsellers.
"
After the murder of George Floyd, sales of Black books skyrocketed. Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped from the Beginning, The New Jim Crow.
Curious George Classic Collection
The producer mentioned reading children's books such as Curious George to his nephews and nieces.
"
He's been reading children's books to his nephews and nieces. And he realized something. Reading Curious George.
— Episode: 877: The Making Of
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 877: The Making Of
The producer mentioned reading children's books such as Curious George to his nephews and nieces.
"
He's been reading children's books to his nephews and nieces. And he realized something. Reading Curious George.
New Kid
A Newbery Award Winner
The graphic novel about a Black 12yearold navigating a new school was highlighted as a bestselling, awardwinning title that faced a ban attempt in Texas.
"
New Kid? Which, of course... Yeah, like comic book? The graphic novel? Yes. New Kid.
— Episode: 758: Talking While Black
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: 758: Talking While Black
The graphic novel about a Black 12yearold navigating a new school was highlighted as a bestselling, awardwinning title that faced a ban attempt in Texas.
"
New Kid? Which, of course... Yeah, like comic book? The graphic novel? Yes. New Kid.
New Kid was widely acclaimed. It won a ton of awards. It was a number one New York Times bestseller, translated into a dozen languages. New Kid is a semiautobiographical graphic novel about a boy, Jordan, who wants to be an artist and go to art school.
When he published New Kid in 2019, Jerry had been writing comics for decades. This was the book he'd always wanted to write.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.