This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Book Recommendations

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

What happened this past weekend. And sometimes what happened on other days.

Episodes 410
Books 122

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art cover

Breath

James Nestor

Mentioned 5 months ago

#641 - Breathing Expert James Nestor

The host highlighted the release of a revised paperback/hardcover edition of Nestor's bestseller, noting its focus on how breathing impacts health, performance, and daily life.

He just published a new edition of his book, Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art.

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The Middle Passage: From Misery to Meaning in Midlife cover

The Middle Passage

James Hollis

Mentioned 5 months ago

#640 - Chris Hemsworth

Theo and Chris discussed the book as a gentler term for a midlife crisis, noting its Jungian perspective on identity and personal growth.

He mentioned a book called The Middle Passage, which he said was a gentler term for a midlife crisis, by James Hollis.

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Tales From The Tiller: TRUE STORIES OF HEROISM, HEARTBREAK, AND HUMOR: THE LUCKIEST GUY ALIVE & HIS JOURNEY IN THE FDNY cover

Tales From The Tiller

Tony Bonfiglio

Mentioned 5 months ago

#637 - FDNY Firefighter

Tony Bonfiglio released his memoir in September, sharing firefighter stories and recipes from his career. The book was praised for its mix of heroism, heartbreak, humor, and food.

This is your book right here, Tales from the Tiller.

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The Bridges of Madison County cover

The Bridges of Madison County

Robert James Waller

Mentioned 5 months ago

#636 - Jason Momoa

He said it was one of his favorite books and that the movie adaptation followed the novel word for word.

One of my favorite books, the book and the movie it's identical. It's like word for word.

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The Grapes of Wrath cover

The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

Mentioned 6 months ago

#633 - Trevor Wallace

The guest referenced a specific scene in this novel where a woman breastfeeds another adult due to starvation, which he connected to feelings of intense hunger.

Yeah. Um, I mean, there are a couple of scenes in, uh, Grapes of Wrath that kind of like. Really?

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The Creative Act: A Way of Being cover

The Creative Act

Rick Rubin

Mentioned 6 months ago

#633 - Trevor Wallace

The host brought up this book by Rick Rubin, which discusses the creative process, and both agreed the author would be a great podcast guest.

That that what what is that book I'm blanking on his name. It's a great book with the circles on it. Rick Rubin. Have you read that book?

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All Quiet on the Western Front cover

All Quiet on the Western Front

Erich Maria Remarque

Mentioned 6 months ago

#633 - Trevor Wallace

The guest mentioned this book while discussing reading material that was not sexually stimulating enough to prevent him from resorting to pornography. He stated it was a good book.

Oh, I'll tell you. Uh, laying there, like reading and then being like, oh, this book isn't enough, you know? Like, and it's just a book. It's like a good book. Is that photos or no? It's like All's Quiet on the Western Front or something.

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The Body cover

The Body

Stephen King

Mentioned 6 months ago

#630 - Stephen Wilson Jr.

They noted it was a Stephen King novella titled The Body, which served as the source material for the film Stand By Me.

the movie ... is also a Stephen King story, that movie is based off a Stephen King novella called The Body.

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Ingram: A Novel cover

Ingram

Louis C.K.

Mentioned 8 months ago

#624 - Sketch

Theo mentioned that he owned a signed copy of Louis C.K.'s book and said he was a collector who wouldn't sell it.

That's a great show. ... I'm a collector, not a seller.

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Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution cover

Soul Boom

Rainn Wilson

Mentioned 8 months ago

#624 - Sketch

Theo talked about having Rainn Wilson's book as a gift and noted it was another collectible he kept.

There's Rainn Wilson's book. Some lady made this real rat.

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Of Mice and Men cover

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Mentioned 8 months ago

#623 - Gary Sinise

Theo recalled the novel Of Mice and Men in the same breath as The Green Mile.

I remember of mice and men.

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A Dictionary of the English Language: an Anthology (Penguin Classics) cover

A Dictionary of the English Language

Samuel Johnson

Mentioned 10 months ago

#611 - Louis C.K.

The hosts discussed Samuel Johnson's groundbreaking dictionary, noting its historical significance as the first comprehensive English dictionary published in the 18thcentury.

There was a guy named Samuel Johnson back in England in the early 1700s and he was the first person to write a dictionary for English... It was published in April 1775 and is among the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language.

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Most Recommended

Hate Me Now, Love Me Later Cover

Jason Brown

Hate Me Now, Love Me Later

The title was introduced as a new release available on Amazon and was handed out as a promotional copy during the episode. Both hosts and the author briefly referenced its content about navigating the challenges faced by the kids they coach, and the host expressed appreciation for receiving the book.

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Episode: Last Chance U's Coach Jason Brown

Coach Brown's book was mentioned and given as a promotional item throughout the podcast. It was described as a new book available on Amazon.

"

He's also the author of Hate Me Now and Love Me Later. It's a new book you can get it on Amazon.

yeah look man well that's that's the book right that's the book that's the book man I appreciate this copy no doubt

and there's a chapter in my book called playing the game so I teach these kids how to play the game because academic the academic side of this thing is a game is it

so like you know those they don't people in my they don't know what being in my shoes entails they don't know where these kids came from and what I have to deal with

the moral of that story I was telling you is that book's the bestseller Tony Dungy's isn't gang bro

Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide, 3rd Edition (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides) Cover

Karl F. Kuhn

Basic Physics

A Self-Teaching Guide, 3rd Edition (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides)

This physics guide was briefly referenced by Theo Von during a conversation about the movie Men in Black. The book was mentioned strictly as a prop used in the film's famous scene where Agent K shoots a young girl, focusing the discussion on the movie's dark comedic justification rather than the educational content of the guide itself.

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Episode: Erik Griffin | This Past Weekend #217

It was mentioned briefly in the context of a scene from Men in Black, where an agent shot a little girl holding a physics book as a justifiable action.

"

That's the one he shot right? He had his justification.

Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar--Your Brain's Silent Killers Cover

David Perlmutter MD

Grain Brain

The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar--Your Brain's Silent Killers

The book was the central topic of discussion when host Theo Von interviewed author Dr. David Perlmutter. Theo, who found the initial chapters "really fascinating," related the book’s core message—the severe negative impact of modern wheat and refined carbohydrates on brain health—to his own family history with Alzheimer’s. The conversation focused heavily on the preventability of neurological diseases and strongly recommended dietary changes, such as adopting a ketogenic diet, based on the book’s principles.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Dr. David Perlmutter | This Past Weekend #187

It was discussed at length, with a focus on the negative impacts of gluten and refined carbohydrates on the brain, and a recommendation for a ketogenic diet with supplements and fiber.

"

He's the author of Grain Brain, which has more than 1 million copies in print ladies and gentlemen, dr. Pearl mutter

I've been there with my dad who died of Alzheimer's.

I read that in your book Like yeah, my stepfather has it and my mother has to and it's horrible and it's mostly Preventable right

I only read about 60 pages of Grain Brain But it was really fascinating to me even in that little bit of time I found some things that were really interesting and and so I'm glad you're here today so I can talk to you about them

I read in your book that there's like sometimes you think like, okay I'm having This thing that my ancestors had this primitive sort of diet and it was about wheat a part of it was about a wheat or something But that the wheat that we have now is nothing like the act the wheat that they had then

Brain Wash: Detox Your Mind for Clearer Thinking, Deeper Relationships, and Lasting Happiness Cover

Austin Perlmutter MD

Brain Wash

Detox Your Mind for Clearer Thinking, Deeper Relationships, and Lasting Happiness

The book was discussed by co-author Dr. David Perlmutter during his guest appearance on the podcast, where he introduced Brain Wash as a forthcoming work focusing on the negative effects of social media use. Dr. Perlmutter highlighted that the book provides actionable strategies to detoxify the mind, reduce stress, and mitigate associated inflammation.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Dr. David Perlmutter | This Past Weekend #187

It was mentioned as a forthcoming book about the negative impacts of social media and how to mitigate the associated stress and inflammation.

"

To the extent that we've written a book about it Wow, and that's coming out in January of 2020 called brainwash.

The China Study: Deluxe Revised and Expanded Edition: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health Cover

T. Colin Campbell

The China Study

Deluxe Revised and Expanded Edition

The book was introduced by Dr. David Perlmutter, who cited its claim linking general meat consumption to an increased risk of colon cancer. However, Perlmutter immediately offered a significant critique, arguing that the study failed to differentiate between the health impact of factory-farmed meat and high-quality, grass-fed products. The discussion centered on the limitations of the study's broad categorization of meat rather than a full endorsement of its findings.

Critiqued
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Episode: Dr. David Perlmutter | This Past Weekend #187

It was mentioned as a book that discusses a link between meat consumption and an increased risk of colon cancer, although it was also noted that the study may have failed to differentiate between the quality of meat consumed.

"

I do but the point is this is asking a person or large groups of people Do you eat meat or do you not eat meat end of story? You're the one category the other It's not asking do you eat meat that you get at the grocery store that came from a factory where they fed these cattle garbage genetically modified sprayed with who knows what antibiotic treated on and on versus Do you eat meat that's grass-fed from animals that are roaming free and not exposed to toxins?

I do believe that in general meat consumption is a health risk? I do do I think The China Study dr Colin Campbell's book about risk for colon cancer one of the things you mentioned increase with meat consumption

To Build A Fire and other Stories Cover

Jack LONDON

To Build A Fire and other Stories

The title was brought up during a discussion about the stark, survivalist reality of life in Alaska, contrasting it with a more relaxed setting. Theo Von cited it alongside another classic to illustrate how harsh conditions can lead to dire outcomes. The mention served as an example rather than a strong endorsement.

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Episode: State Wars March Madness w/ Bryan Callen | This Pa...

Call of the Wild and To Build a Fire, both by Jack London, were mentioned in the context of the harshness and survivalist nature of life in Alaska, particularly in contrast to the more leisurely lifestyle of Hawaii.

"

Call of the Wild. One dude went out there and tried to read a book and fucking died in a bus. Yes, he did. But Jack London wrote To Build a Fire, Call of the Wild.

The Meathead Manifesto Cover

Brody McVittie

The Meathead Manifesto

Theo Von highlighted the title as a humorous how‑to guide that made fitness topics like bodybuilding, nutrition, and even handling jealousy enjoyable to read. He noted that it offered practical advice for gym newcomers, such as spotting bad personal trainers and understanding good fats, while maintaining an irreverent tone. The host presented it as a useful and entertaining resource for anyone interested in fitness and related lifestyle topics.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Snow Day | This Past Weekend #173

It was described as a how-to book about fitness that made it enjoyable to read, particularly about bodybuilding, nutrition and girls. It was also described as an irreverent take on concepts like jealousy and fat.

"

and this is a book it's called The Meathead Manifesto

and it is written by Brody McVit sorry Brody McVitty

and if you wanna support a small business like we do and I'll tell you I checked out The Meathead Manifesto by Brody McVitty and this guy makes reading about fitness actually enjoyable it's a how-to book

it's a how-to book for people who have no fucking clue what they're doing in the gym Brody covers topics like how to tell if your personal trainer is a straight up D-Bag how to tell if you're a D-Bag client if you're a doush bag daddy

if you're a doush bag man then you gotta tighten up but one of y'all is probably a doush bag The Meathead Manifesto is the only how-to guide you'll ever need if you're into bodybuilding and girls and nutrition then you'll love this irreverent take on concepts like how to handle your raging jealousy and fat like the stuff you need not what you are and that's how to get good fats you know it's funny a lot of different nuts and everything have good fats in them and that's what I used to say

Winning Gold: Success Secrets of a World Champion Cover

Lee Kemp

Winning Gold

Success Secrets of a World Champion

During his appearance, Urijah Faber referenced Lee Kemp’s book, "Winning Gold," noting that Kemp is a three-time world champion. Faber mentioned the text while discussing the intense levels of commitment required for success in combat sports and cited Kemp as an expert on high-level achievement.

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Episode: Urijah Faber | This Past Weekend #146

A book written by a three time world champion, the book was mentioned in context of the commitment levels of fighters.

"

I talked to, uh, there's coach Lee Kemp. He has a book. Um, it's called, I think "Winning Gold." He's a three time world champion.

Out of the Shadows: My Life Inside the Wild World of Hunter Biden Cover

Lunden Roberts

Out of the Shadows

My Life Inside the Wild World of Hunter Biden

During the episode, Theo Von brought up the book while discussing sexual addiction and how early relationships with older partners can be perceived as a "score" by teenagers. He and co‑host Nick highlighted its exploration of compulsive sexual behaviors and the broader patterns that shape them, noting that the content was fascinating. The discussion framed the title as a useful lens for understanding these dynamics, and the hosts spoke positively about its insights.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Joe Jitsukawa | This Past Weekend #144

The book discussed sexual addiction and the different behaviours and patterns people have in their lives. It was mentioned in relation to how some young teenagers see a relationship with an older woman as a 'score' and how this can be viewed later on as sexual abuse.

"

I'm just listening to a book right now. This by Dr. Um, I think a guy's name is Michael Gardner. It's called, um, Out of the Shadows. And it's, um, it's all about, uh, sexual addiction and that, and those sorts of behaviors and they, they're talking about this exact occurrence and it's a, and he was saying in this book that if a 14 year old or 15 year old boy hooks up with like a 50 year old, 40 year old woman, a beautiful 30, whatever, 30, they see that as a score in their book.

Can you look that up? Nick, you find it. It's out. Michael Gardner Out of the Shadows. Yeah. Is that it? I don't think so. I think it's called Out of the Shadows. It's a book.

But, but anyway, he was saying that the kids see that as a score. They see that. And I think to myself, I'm 15 because that's where your frame of reference is coming from.

Dr. Patrick Carnes. I'm sorry. What's this? That's it. Out of the Shadows, understanding sexual addiction, but it just, it's not really as much about sexual. It's about sexual addiction, but it's also just about how we behave sexually and how we view things and how, um, different patterns in our lives and stuff like that.

That book is fascinating, bro. Nice. Dude. It's fascinating how, um, like our behaviors and what we do, like even in like cyber sex and like how pornography affects, like, you know, how we, how it affects us in like, you know, um, and just how things become compulsive.

The Things They Carried Cover

Tim O'Brien

The Things They Carried

During a conversation about war media with guest Jocko Willink, the podcast briefly discussed Tim O'Brien’s classic, The Things They Carried. Theo Von asked Willink if he had read the work, and both confirmed it was a "great book" and a worthwhile read. They specifically noted its unique position as a semi-fictional account of the Vietnam experience, distinguishing it from the author's later, less fictional works.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Jocko Willink | This Past Weekend #120

This book was mentioned in a discussion about the portrayal of war in the mini-series 'The Pacific' and 'Band of Brothers'. It was said that it was a semi-fictional book.

"

Do you ever read that The Things They Carried? You know what I'm talking about?

Yeah, yeah. The episode of the podcast. Yeah. And it is, and that's sort of a semi-fictional book and he ended up writing another book that's not as fictional, but yeah, that's a great book for sure.

FORTUNATE SON, The Healing of a Vietnam Vet Cover

Lewis B. Puller

FORTUNATE SON, The Healing of a Vietnam Vet

During the episode, Jocko Willink discussed the title with Theo Von, highlighting the tragic story of a Vietnam veteran who was severely wounded, struggled with chronic pain and addiction, and ultimately took his own life. The conversation focused on the veteran's personal hardships rather than promoting the book, presenting it as a sobering account of his post‑war experience.

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Episode: Jocko Willink | This Past Weekend #120

Lewis Puller, son of the famous Marine, Chesty Puller, was badly wounded in Vietnam. The book tells of his struggles and eventual suicide.

"

And that story, as a matter of fact, I did a series of podcasts. And that's Plum, you said? No. So this is a guy named Lewis Puller. And what's interesting about Lewis Puller, and I did a series of podcasts, three podcasts. The first one was podcast number 121.

It's called fortunate son by Lewis Puller.

And then the book ends, but the book doesn't end there. The story doesn't end there because Lewis Puller two or three years later, he falls out of his wheelchair and he breaks his hip and they bring him to the hospital and they put him back on painkillers and he starts drinking again and he kills himself.

Trauma And Recovery: The Aftermath Of Violence- From Domestic Abuse To Political Terror Cover

Judith L. Herman

Trauma And Recovery

The Aftermath Of Violence- From Domestic Abuse To Political Terror

It was mentioned as a book that Rico, a recovering drug addict, had read, and Theo suggested that he might be a good guest for the podcast.

"

I actually read this book by Russell Brand the comedian called recovery

— Episode: San Fran Sleepwalkers | This Past Weeken...

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Episode: San Fran Sleepwalkers | This Past Weekend #101

It was mentioned as a book that Rico, a recovering drug addict, had read, and Theo suggested that he might be a good guest for the podcast.

"

I actually read this book by Russell Brand the comedian called recovery

The Erotic Mind: Unlocking the Inner Sources of Sexual Passion and Fulfillment Cover

Jack Morin

The Erotic Mind

Unlocking the Inner Sources of Sexual Passion and Fulfillment

The book was briefly referenced when a guest recalled a single formula from it about attraction and obstacles creating passion, but admitted he couldn't fully endorse it because he only remembered that snippet. No further discussion or recommendation was offered.

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Episode: Sex at Dawn Author Chris Ryan | This Past Weekend...

It was briefly mentioned, with only a specific formula or concept from the book being recalled, regarding attraction and obstacles leading to passion.

"

There's this book called The Erotic Mind by Jack Moran that probably came out in the 70s or 80s. I remember there's a is that recommend to reading by you? Well, yeah I don't really remember the book to be honest. I just remember this one this one formula in it So I can't really recommend the book because this is all I remember from it, but he says Attraction Plus an obstacle equals passion.

No Wonder My Parents Drank: Tales from a Stand-Up Dad Cover

Jay Mohr

No Wonder My Parents Drank

Tales from a Stand-Up Dad

Theo mentioned a chapter about stepparents in this book, and the impact they can have on children, either positive or negative.

"

I have a book called No Wonder My Parents Drank and there's a whole chapter about the stepparents like the number one whammy you can throw at a kid It's it's either the pant the band-...

— Episode: Jay Mohr | This Past Weekend #84

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Episode: Jay Mohr | This Past Weekend #84

Theo mentioned a chapter about stepparents in this book, and the impact they can have on children, either positive or negative.

"

I have a book called No Wonder My Parents Drank and there's a whole chapter about the stepparents like the number one whammy you can throw at a kid It's it's either the pant the band-aid the panacea the bridge or it's the reason you fucking strip Like man like that's it.

Gasp!: Airway Health - The Hidden Path To Wellness Cover

Michael Gelb

Gasp!

Airway Health - The Hidden Path To Wellness

Theo mentioned writing in this book, and later realizing he had misrepresented his father, leading to an apology and a better understanding of his relationship with him.

"

Because I realized I asked my father in the back of my book No Wonder My Parents Drank, there's like a questionnaire to give your dad or your son or your uncle or whatever The answers will blow your m...

— Episode: Jay Mohr | This Past Weekend #84

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Episode: Jay Mohr | This Past Weekend #84

Theo mentioned writing in this book, and later realizing he had misrepresented his father, leading to an apology and a better understanding of his relationship with him.

"

Because I realized I asked my father in the back of my book No Wonder My Parents Drank, there's like a questionnaire to give your dad or your son or your uncle or whatever The answers will blow your mind like these are not the people, you know, like what's the best part about having a kid? What's the best part about having a son versus a daughter?

in Gasping for air time a Saturday Night Live book. I'm like this guy never gave me affection in this I'm like, I'm mortified that I ever wrote this about

True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor Cover

David Mamet

True and False

Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor

Theo recommended this book to help with the nerves of auditions, suggesting that everyone in the room is intellectually inferior to the auditionee.

"

You ever read David Mamet True and False. Uh-uh. You need to it's good I would never say that unless you needed to when you go into a hero Glenn Gary Glenn Ross. Mm-hmm speed the plow...

— Episode: Jay Mohr | This Past Weekend #84

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Episode: Jay Mohr | This Past Weekend #84

Theo recommended this book to help with the nerves of auditions, suggesting that everyone in the room is intellectually inferior to the auditionee.

"

You ever read David Mamet True and False. Uh-uh. You need to it's good I would never say that unless you needed to when you go into a hero Glenn Gary Glenn Ross. Mm-hmm speed the plow and Spanish prisoner, but he goes, uh, he writes when you walk into an audition You you must know you're everyone in the room is your moral and intellectual Inferior because at some time they had the bravery to do what you're doing and they took the desk Mmm, say the lines as best you can and next time saying better Wow.

Mark Twain: Five Novels (Leather-bound Classics) Cover

Mark Twain

Mark Twain

Five Novels (Leather-bound Classics)

Theo Von mentioned reading a chapter of a Mark Twain book and his mind wandered to other thoughts, highlighting the challenge of maintaining focus with modern distractions.

"

I'm reading a fucking chapter of Mark Twain dude and then it's just like next thing you know in my mind I picture Mark Twain, you know, fucking by a fence or somethin...

— Episode: Me(n)Too | This Past Weekend #68

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Episode: Me(n)Too | This Past Weekend #68

Theo Von mentioned reading a chapter of a Mark Twain book and his mind wandered to other thoughts, highlighting the challenge of maintaining focus with modern distractions.

"

I'm reading a fucking chapter of Mark Twain dude and then it's just like next thing you know in my mind I picture Mark Twain, you know, fucking by a fence or something and the next thing you know my brain is gone.

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