We're Here to Help
Book Recommendations

We're Here to Help

Jake Johnson (New Girl, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Gareth Reynolds (The Dollop) don't feel qualified to give strangers good advice. Most of their friendship over the last 15 years has been based around dumb bits, but they do (for better or worse) want to try to help people out. Like yo...

Episodes 273
Books 25

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Lord of the Flies (Penguin Drop Caps) cover

Lord of the Flies (Penguin Drop Caps)

William Golding

Mentioned 7 months ago

236: ROCKET MONEY BEST ADVICE EPISODE 4 (with Steve Berg)

The hosts discussed how they would cast each other for a live show based on the characters in the book, ultimately suggesting Steve be cast as Piggy (or 'Piggly').

We were going to call it Lord of the Flies. Wait, what were we saying? I can't remember what, well, you were Ralph and obviously Steve, we cast you. Piggy.

Buy on Amazon
A Prayer for Owen Meany cover

A Prayer for Owen Meany

John Irving

Mentioned 8 months ago

231: Wearing Garbage & Scooter Cooter

This book was mentioned as a "life Bible" that the hosts use, suggesting its contents bring clarity to confusing situations, even when the middle steps don't make sense.

There's a book called A Prayer for Owen Meany that Eric and I use as a life Bible that everything makes sense in the end, but we're not sure why in the middle.

Buy on Amazon
Project Hail Mary: A Novel cover

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir

Mentioned 8 months ago

225: Weird Here to Help Halloween Special: Real Magic & Closing Down the Store (with John E. L. Tenney)

The caller was currently reading this book and needed to know how it ended because it was about saving humanity from the sun dimming due to space pollution.

Right now, I am reading Project Hail Mary, and I need to know how it ends.

Buy on Amazon
That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You cover

That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You

Elyse Myers

Mentioned 8 months ago

224: Once You Pop & Trackin' Turkeys (with Elyse Myers)

The book contained short stories, poems, and illustrations about the author's life that were fun to read. Some stories included literal entries from the author's diary from ten years prior.

It's called That's A Great Question I'd Love To Tell You. It's short stories and poems and cool illustrations and just fun little things about my life that are fun to read.

Buy on Amazon
My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding (Biker Witches Mystery Book 5) cover

My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding (Biker Witches Mystery Book 5)

Angie Fox

Mentioned 8 months ago

224: Once You Pop & Trackin' Turkeys (with Elyse Myers)

This was proposed as a book title for Jake Johnson based on his experience having to lose weight for television.

By the way, Jake, I think we have your book title whenever you're ready. Too Fat for Foxes. Pretty solid.

Buy on Amazon
Humanoid Encounters 1930-1949: The Others amongst Us (HUMANOID ENCOUNTERS The Others Amongst Us) cover

Humanoid Encounters 1930-1949

Albert Rosales

Mentioned 8 months ago

222: Weird Here to Help: Hunk of Iron & Dinosaur Juice

One caller mentioned drunkenly ordering an expensive UFO book from 1949 online, which they did not actually want.

I'll order like a $500 UFO book from 1949 that I don't even want.

Buy on Amazon
Little Women: by Louisa Alcott | Complete Hardcover Edition cover

Little Women

Louisa May Alcott

Mentioned 9 months ago

216: Weird Here to Help: Full Shamans Only & The Language of Dance

The book was named by a caller as the one she would take to a desert island if forced to choose only one book.

book, Little Women

Buy on Amazon
My Lunches with Orson: Conversations between Henry Jaglom and Orson Welles cover

My Lunches with Orson

Peter Biskind

Mentioned 9 months ago

211: Weird Here to Help Vol 1: Angry Old Hitchhiker & A Two-Time Hat Thief (with Steve Berg and Eric Edelstein)

The speaker described finishing this delightful book which contained recorded conversations between the director and Orson Welles, noting that Welles came alive in the book and it was hysterical to read.

I just finished a delightful book called My Lunches with Orson, which is Henry Jacklum was this director that recorded all of his conversations with Orson Welles, and he had permission.

Buy on Amazon
His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass / The Subtle Knife / The Amber Spyglass cover

His Dark Materials

Philip Pullman

Mentioned 1 year ago

180: Hotdog Party & Backdoor Boys

A tattoo featuring a compass and a mouse on someone's arm was inspired by this fantasy book.

This one is from Golden Compass. It's a fantasy book. Big nerd.

Buy on Amazon
The Giving Tree cover

The Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein

Mentioned 1 year ago

180: Hotdog Party & Backdoor Boys

Someone planned to get a tattoo based on this book, which their mother used to read to them, but ultimately did not go through with it.

Based off my love of my mother, Eve, and the book she used to read to me, The Giving Tree, I was going to get the best. But I was going to get a tree stump on my ankle.

Buy on Amazon
Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook: Over 100 of the Best Recipes in the World (Fox Chapel Publishing) Explore BBQ from Texas to Memphis with Brian Baumgartner, aka Kevin Malone from The Office cover

Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook

Brian Baumgartner

Mentioned 2 years ago

95: You Won The Show with Brian Baumgartner

Brian Baumgartner, known for his role in The Office, has a new cookbook called Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook. He talked about his passion for barbecue and how he enjoys cooking when he's at home.

So far. As well as he has a new cookbook out called The Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook.

Buy on Amazon
Pinnacle Mercantile 5lb Box Rags 100% Cotton T-Shirt Knit Bulk Pack Size Variety All New Material Unhemmed Multipurpose Cleaning Cloths Automotive Detailing, Shops, Janitorial, Home Packaged in USA cover

Pinnacle Mercantile 5lb Box Rags 100% Cotton T-Shirt Knit Bulk Pack Size Variety All New Material Unhemmed Multipurpose Cleaning Cloths Automotive Detailing, Shops, Janitorial, Home Packaged in USA

Mentioned 2 years ago

91: I Talk You Talk with Jameela Jamil

Jameela Jamil joked that "What Can I Buy Your Rags for Five Bucks" is the title of her memoir, referencing a humorous suggestion made earlier in the podcast about offering to buy a stranger's used tissue.

It is because I've said it because it's the name of my memoir. It's a podcast. I do. It's what can I buy your rags?

Buy on Amazon

Most Recommended

Lord of the Flies (Penguin Drop Caps) Cover

William Golding

Lord of the Flies (Penguin Drop Caps)

The hosts playfully referenced the book when imagining a live show cast, assigning one guest the role of Piggy and joking about the conch. In another episode, a participant mispronounced the title while discussing odd suggestions for their book club, noting the book in a light‑hearted manner. Both mentions were informal and humorous rather than a serious endorsement.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 62: I'm Milwaukin' Here! with Lisa Gilroy

The book was mentioned in the context of a discussion about whether Harriet had been making any strange suggestions for the book club.

"

Lord of the Pigs. Lord of the Pigs. They're all like it's Lord of the Flies. Are you like it's Lord of the Pigs? Let's read it. Lord of the Pigs. I know what I want to and what about this story I wrote it or if somebody pitches something else are you somebody goes I could we read this like is there anything that you've been embarrassed about by your behavior from Darla's point of view.

Episode: 236: ROCKET MONEY BEST ADVICE EPISODE 4 (with Stev...

The hosts discussed how they would cast each other for a live show based on the characters in the book, ultimately suggesting Steve be cast as Piggy (or 'Piggly').

"

We were going to call it Lord of the Flies. Wait, what were we saying? I can't remember what, well, you were Ralph and obviously Steve, we cast you. Piggy.

Two conches. Two conches.

Give Piggly the conch. Oh, yes.

The Legend of Bagger Vance: A Novel of Golf and the Game of Life Cover

Steven Pressfield

The Legend of Bagger Vance

A Novel of Golf and the Game of Life

In the episode, the host warned listeners that the book could steer them toward an undesirable path, particularly in the context of dating or relationship advice. Gareth Reynolds specifically advised against reading it, describing it as a ridiculous choice that might lead to a nightmare direction.

Critiqued
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 5: Find Your Goblin

It was mentioned in a negative light as a book that could lead someone down a path they wouldn't want to go down, likely with reference to dating or relationship advice.

"

I'm going to advise you not to do okay Ian I promise you if you end up reading some ridiculous book like the game or anything like this it might sway you in a nightmare direction

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass / The Subtle Knife / The Amber Spyglass Cover

Philip Pullman

His Dark Materials

The Golden Compass / The Subtle Knife / The Amber Spyglass

A tattoo featuring a compass and a mouse on someone's arm was inspired by this fantasy book.

"

This one is from Golden Compass. It's a fantasy book. Big nerd.

— Episode: 180: Hotdog Party & Backdoor Boys

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 180: Hotdog Party & Backdoor Boys

A tattoo featuring a compass and a mouse on someone's arm was inspired by this fantasy book.

"

This one is from Golden Compass. It's a fantasy book. Big nerd.

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement Cover

Angela Y. Davis

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle

Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement

It was mentioned as a book choice for the book club. The title was said to be very true, especially as the book club was going through some drama.

"

Oh it's um, it's called Freedom as a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis.

— Episode: 62: I'm Milwaukin' Here! with Lisa Gilro...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 62: I'm Milwaukin' Here! with Lisa Gilroy

It was mentioned as a book choice for the book club. The title was said to be very true, especially as the book club was going through some drama.

"

Oh it's um, it's called Freedom as a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis.

It was a very true title.

Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook: Over 100 of the Best Recipes in the World (Fox Chapel Publishing) Explore BBQ from Texas to Memphis with Brian Baumgartner, aka Kevin Malone from The Office Cover

Brian Baumgartner

Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook

Over 100 of the Best Recipes in the World (Fox Chapel Publishing) Explore BBQ from Texas to Memphis with Brian Baumgartner, aka Kevin Malone from The Office

Brian Baumgartner, known for his role in The Office, has a new cookbook called Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook. He talked about his passion for barbecue and how he enjoys cooking when he's at home.

"

So far. As well as he has a new cookbook out called The Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook.

— Episode: 95: You Won The Show with Brian Baumgart...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 95: You Won The Show with Brian Baumgartner

Brian Baumgartner, known for his role in The Office, has a new cookbook called Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook. He talked about his passion for barbecue and how he enjoys cooking when he's at home.

"

So far. As well as he has a new cookbook out called The Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook.

He's got a new cookbook coming out as well as you know, from the office.

Yes, I do like to cook but I mean if we're honest which that's what we're about today clearly.

And now I mean it has gotten to the point with that clip and the show's sort of resurgence or escalation. I can't post a picture of food. Not that I post a lot of yeah, right. That's not like why aren't you eating chili? Like where's the chili right? Don't spill it. So we came we had a chili cookbook.

Yeah, and we did that. And that was a lot of fun. I met a bunch of world champion chefs and but this is really what I do. Right. I barbecue I grill when I'm home. Obviously, I'm on the road a lot but four or five nights a week. I'm outside cooking and it's what I love to do. It gives me a release for me. It's it's being able to focus specifically on something else kind of clears my mind. Zen. Yeah. Yeah, so I really enjoy it. So this is really a passion of mine and have met a lot of great chefs and have a lot of got a lot of great contributions for the book and I've had a great time with it.

Pinnacle Mercantile 5lb Box Rags 100% Cotton T-Shirt Knit Bulk Pack Size Variety All New Material Unhemmed Multipurpose Cleaning Cloths Automotive Detailing, Shops, Janitorial, Home Packaged in USA Cover

Pinnacle Mercantile 5lb Box Rags 100% Cotton T-Shirt Knit Bulk Pack Size Variety All New Material Unhemmed Multipurpose Cleaning Cloths Automotive Detailing, Shops, Janitorial, Home Packaged in USA

Jameela Jamil joked that "What Can I Buy Your Rags for Five Bucks" is the title of her memoir, referencing a humorous suggestion made earlier in the podcast about offering to buy a stranger's used tissue.

"

It is because I've said it because it's the name of my memoir. It's a podcast. I do. It's what can I buy your rags?

— Episode: 91: I Talk You Talk with Jameela Jamil

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 91: I Talk You Talk with Jameela Jamil

Jameela Jamil joked that "What Can I Buy Your Rags for Five Bucks" is the title of her memoir, referencing a humorous suggestion made earlier in the podcast about offering to buy a stranger's used tissue.

"

It is because I've said it because it's the name of my memoir. It's a podcast. I do. It's what can I buy your rags?

Hey, can I buy your rags for five bucks by Garrett Reynolds?

Love After Lockup Dots Lines Swirls Coloring Book: Love After Lockup Unofficial High Quality Dots-Lines-Swirls Activity Books For Kids And Adults Perfect Gift Birthday Or Holidays Cover

Dionne Orestes

Love After Lockup Dots Lines Swirls Coloring Book

Love After Lockup Unofficial High Quality Dots-Lines-Swirls Activity Books For Kids And Adults Perfect Gift Birthday Or Holidays

It was recommended as a fantastically underrated show.

"

Don't forget Love After Lockup, Jake. Fantastic show. A fantastically underrated show.

— Episode: 88: The Problem Is You're Exactly Like U...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 88: The Problem Is You're Exactly Like Us

It was recommended as a fantastically underrated show.

"

Don't forget Love After Lockup, Jake. Fantastic show. A fantastically underrated show.

Give My Regards to Nowhere: A Director's Tale (The Dwayne Finnegan Series) Cover

Richard Engling

Give My Regards to Nowhere

A Director's Tale (The Dwayne Finnegan Series)

Tony Hale mentioned being influenced by Christopher Guest's comedies, specifically 'Waiting for Guffman', when he was cast on 'Arrested Development'.

"

Yeah, right. I had a little bit of that off, you know, comedy thing.

— Episode: 87: Party City's Where You Go to Party w...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 87: Party City's Where You Go to Party with Tony H...

Tony Hale mentioned being influenced by Christopher Guest's comedies, specifically 'Waiting for Guffman', when he was cast on 'Arrested Development'.

"

Yeah, right. I had a little bit of that off, you know, comedy thing.

I was just like, I had no idea.

Where's Waldo? The Magnificent Mini Boxed Set Cover

Martin Handford

Where's Waldo? The Magnificent Mini Boxed Set

In one episode, the host suggested creating a photo book that highlights the husband's outline in each engagement picture as a humorous nod to the book's concept. The idea was presented as a lighthearted gift for friends and family, with the book referenced only as an inspiration for the visual gag.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 86: Seeing Past The Piggies

The caller was advised to make a photo book of all the engagement photos, with the husband's prominent outline in each picture, as a humorous 'Where's Waldo' type of gift for friends and family.

"

So it's meant to be funny, but they are pretty shots. But you celebrate the fact that you allow everybody to have a huge laugh. And in every single photo, there's a well, this is what I was going to this is what I was going to pitch for for for friends and family who you don't want to acknowledge that reality.

Self-Reliance Cover

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self-Reliance

The host said he had started writing the book years earlier and had imagined Darryl Johnson in the role, noting Johnson’s humor from his appearance on Drunk History. He shared this anecdote while discussing the episode’s topic.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 73: You Are Not the Barber with Daryl Johnson and...

The podcast host mentioned that he started writing the book "Self-Reliance" years ago and envisioned Darryl Johnson in the role, before Johnson's appearance on "Drunk History".

"

And then he was in Drunk History. I find him to be so funny and such a great actor.

Rhett & Link Present: The Mythical Cookbook: 10 Simple Rules for Cooking Deliciously, Eating Happily, and Living Mythically Cover

Josh Scherer

Rhett & Link Present

The Mythical Cookbook

When guest Josh Scherer appeared, the hosts highlighted the book, noting it was a New York Times bestseller and that it encompassed the full range of Mythical’s food projects. They described it as a comprehensive guide to cooking and the brand’s culinary adventures, presenting it as a must‑read for fans. Overall, the discussion was positive and the book was praised as a noteworthy resource.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 70: All Food Comes with Risk with Josh Scherer

The Mythical Cookbook was mentioned by the podcast hosts as being written by guest, Josh Shearer. It was mentioned to be a New York Times Best Seller, and that it encompasses everything that the Mythical brand has ever done with food.

"

He's got a book right now called Mythical Cookbook.

Also author of The Mythical Cookbook.

It's everything that mythical has done with food.

It is true. We beat Dion Sanders, which was huge.

Number one New York Times best seller.

THE MASTER AND MARGARITA: 50th-Anniversary Edition (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) Cover

Mikhail Bulgakov

THE MASTER AND MARGARITA

50th-Anniversary Edition (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

Jake Johnson mentioned receiving the book as a gift and noted that it was about Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution, though it covered more than just that era. The hosts discussed it in passing without endorsing it as a must‑read. Overall, the reference was casual.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 70: All Food Comes with Risk with Josh Scherer

The book was described as being about Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution, and it was given to Jake Johnson as a gift.

"

I had this guy give me a book once.

I got master margarita.

It's about Russia.

It's not just about Russia.

I mean, the Bolshevik Revolution is about the Bolshevik Revolution.

The Culinary Bro-Down Cookbook Cover

Josh Scherer

The Culinary Bro-Down Cookbook

The book was brought up by Josh Scherer as his early cookbook from before his Mythical days, described as a mix of Anthony Bourdain and Tucker Max with a tongue‑in‑cheek tone. He noted it reflected his initial foray into writing and food blogging rather than being a polished, highly‑praised work.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 70: All Food Comes with Risk with Josh Scherer

This book was mentioned as being a cookbook written by Josh Shearer, in his pre-Mythical days. It was said to be a mix of Anthony Bourdain and Tucker Max styles.

"

And instead I started a food blog called culinarybrodown.com.

And then that sort of blew up and I just kept parling.

I was a writer and I thought I was going to be a writer my whole life.

And then I eventually wrote a book called the culinarybrodown.com.

Cookbook, very Tucker Max meets Anthony Bourdain, but hopefully not as much of a piece of crap as, you know, the first one.

Little Women: by Louisa Alcott | Complete Hardcover Edition Cover

Louisa May Alcott

Little Women

by Louisa Alcott | Complete Hardcover Edition

The book was highlighted by a caller who said it was the one she would choose to take to a desert island if forced to pick only one. This personal endorsement underscored its enduring appeal and emotional resonance. The overall sentiment was a strong recommendation.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 216: Weird Here to Help: Full Shamans Only & The L...

The book was named by a caller as the one she would take to a desert island if forced to choose only one book.

"

book, Little Women

The Giving Tree Cover

Shel Silverstein

The Giving Tree

In one episode, a guest recalled that their mother had often read the title to them, which inspired them to consider a tattoo of a tree stump on their ankle. They ultimately decided not to get the tattoo. The discussion served as a brief, personal anecdote rather than a recommendation.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 180: Hotdog Party & Backdoor Boys

Someone planned to get a tattoo based on this book, which their mother used to read to them, but ultimately did not go through with it.

"

Based off my love of my mother, Eve, and the book she used to read to me, The Giving Tree, I was going to get the best. But I was going to get a tree stump on my ankle.

I Don't Want to Read This Book Cover

Max Greenfield

I Don't Want to Read This Book

During an episode featuring Max Greenfield, the hosts highlighted his newly published children's title, describing it as fantastic and recommending it to listeners. They noted the guest's role as author and expressed enthusiasm for the book's appeal to kids.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 18: This is Where the Watermelon Comes Into Play w...

Max Greenfield, a guest on the show, had written and published a children's book that the hosts believed to be fantastic.

"

He has written a children's book which I'm sure you guys all know about but if you don't, it's called I Don't Want to Read This Book and it is fantastic.

Fifty Shades Darker 10th Anniversary Edition (Fifty Shades of Grey Series, 2) Cover

E L James

Fifty Shades Darker 10th Anniversary Edition (Fifty Shades of Grey Series, 2)

The title was brought up as an example of a romance novel that includes explicit sexual content, but where the sex is not the central focus, serving as a contrast to the caller's own work. The hosts used it to illustrate the distinction between plot-driven romance and purely erotic material.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 40: Parental Guidance with Eduardo Franco

It was mentioned as an example of a romance novel that also features explicit sexual content, contrasting it with the caller's book, which has a similar theme but is not solely focused on sex.

"

Oh, yeah. Where do we live in, Alice? Yeah. I don't know if we're quite... I mean, we're not quite there. Like, there's sex in it, but sex is not the point of the novel.

Project Hail Mary: A Novel Cover

Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary

A Novel

In the episode, a caller mentioned that they were reading the title and asked for the ending, describing it as a story about space pollution dimming the sun and a mission to save humanity. The hosts briefly recapped the premise, noting that someone is sent into space to solve the problem. The book was referenced only to satisfy the caller’s curiosity, without any endorsement.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 225: Weird Here to Help Halloween Special: Real Ma...

The caller was currently reading this book and needed to know how it ended because it was about saving humanity from the sun dimming due to space pollution.

"

Right now, I am reading Project Hail Mary, and I need to know how it ends.

So it's like there's space pollution, and the sun is getting dimmer. Yeah. So they send someone to space to try to solve the problem and save humanity.

Vital Mummies: Performance Design and the Store-Window Mannequin Cover

Sara K. Schneider

Vital Mummies

Performance Design and the Store-Window Mannequin

The book was discussed after a listener reported that a young child became anxious from its intense and creepy mummy-themed content. Caroline noted that the visuals were especially unsettling, describing the material as overly intense for a five‑year‑old. The conversation highlighted concerns about the book's suitability for younger audiences.

Critiqued
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 31: Crap Rat

Oscar, a 5-year-old, developed anxieties after being exposed to mummy-themed books, which were described as being too intense and creepy.

"

It was way too intense. And the pictures were really creepy.

A Prayer for Owen Meany Cover

John Irving

A Prayer for Owen Meany

The hosts mentioned the title as a "life Bible" they turned to for guidance, noting that its themes helped make sense of confusing situations even when the middle steps were unclear. They expressed confidence that the book ultimately provided clarity and meaning.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 231: Wearing Garbage & Scooter Cooter

This book was mentioned as a "life Bible" that the hosts use, suggesting its contents bring clarity to confusing situations, even when the middle steps don't make sense.

"

There's a book called A Prayer for Owen Meany that Eric and I use as a life Bible that everything makes sense in the end, but we're not sure why in the middle.

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