Gays Reading | A Book Podcast for Everyone

R. Eric Thomas (Congratulations, the Best is Over!) on Ann Patchett and The Best Pickleball Movie

Aug 15, 2023

Jason and Brett interview R. Eric Thomas, author of 'Congratulations, the Best is Over!', discussing Ann Patchett, Parnassus Books, and the sequel to the best pickleball movie. They also explore the choice of essays, memories and perspectives, and the impact of accents in theater.

48:08

Episode guests

R. Eric Thomas

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The podcast discusses the works of Ann Patchett, including her novel The Dutch House and her ownership of Parnassus Books.

R. Eric Thomas talks about unrelated topics such as a sequel to the best pickleball movie and what Charles Dickens might've talked about over brunch.

The episode also features guest Hunter McLendon, who shares their favorite essay collections and explores the power of memoirs and essays to blend humor and tenderness.

Deep dives

The Origins of Shelf by Shelf

The name 'Shelf by Shelf' originated from the desire to have a catchy Instagram handle for book reviews. It was inspired by the show 'Step by Step', and the name just stuck.

Introduction

2min

Discussing a New Graphic Novel and Supporting Independent Bookstores

2min

Excitement for Interview and Reading Experience

4min

Pickleball: Transforming Lives and Creating Buzz

3min

Writing, Laughter, and Pickleball

3min

The Choice of Essays

13min

Exploring Memories and Perspectives

8min

Impact of Accents in Theater

13min

Jason and Brett talk to R. Eric Thomas (Congratulations, the Best is Over!) about Ann Patchett, The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, Parnassus Books owned by Ann Patchett, and some other things entirely unrelated to Ann Patchett such as the sequel to the best pickleball movie, what Charles Dickens might've talked about over brunch, and so much more. This episode also features special guest Hunter McLendon (aka shelfbyshelf on Instagram) who joins Jason and Brett to discuss some of his favorite essay collections.

R. Eric Thomas is the bestselling author of Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America, a Lambda Literary Award finalist; and the YA novel Kings of B’more, a Stonewall Honor book. Both books were also featured as Read with Jenna book club picks on Today. He is also a television writer (Apple TV+’s Dickinson, FX’s Better Things), a Lambda Literary Award–winning playwright, and the long-running host of the Moth in Philadelphia. For four years, Thomas was a senior staff writer at Elle online, where he wrote the popular “Eric Reads the News” column. @oureric