Anne Rice's "The Witching Hour" is a gothic novel that delves into the supernatural and explores themes of family, power, and sexuality. The story follows the Mayfair witches, a family with a long history of magical abilities and dark secrets. Rice's writing is characterized by its lush prose, atmospheric descriptions, and exploration of complex characters. The novel's exploration of the supernatural and the human condition is both captivating and thought-provoking. "The Witching Hour" is a cornerstone of Rice's oeuvre, showcasing her mastery of gothic storytelling and her ability to create unforgettable characters and worlds.
Steven Harrod Buhner's "Plants in the Imaginal Realm" explores the intersection of plants, dreams, intuition, and literature. The book delves into the symbolic and spiritual significance of plants, drawing connections between botanical knowledge and human experience. Buhner weaves together scientific observations, personal anecdotes, and literary references to create a unique perspective on the natural world. His work emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of understanding the language of plants. The book is a rich tapestry of knowledge and insight, inviting readers to engage with the plant world on a deeper level.
A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel that tells the story of Ignatius J. Reilly, an overweight, unemployed, and intellectually arrogant man living with his mother in New Orleans. The novel is a rich satire that critiques modern society through Ignatius's interactions with a diverse cast of characters, including his mother Irene, his girlfriend Myrna Minkoff, and various eccentric figures from New Orleans. Written in the early 1960s while Toole was in the army, the book was published posthumously in 1980 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981. It is celebrated for its witty and absurd portrayal of life in New Orleans and its memorable protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly.
Lonesome Dove is a classic Western novel that follows the journey of two former Texas Rangers, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call, as they embark on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The novel is renowned for its vivid descriptions of the American West, its exploration of themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the decline of the Old West, and its well-developed characters. It is the third book in the Lonesome Dove series and is widely regarded as McMurtry's magnum opus.
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard. The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world. The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.
In 'Red Rising: The Washington Capitals Story', Ted Starkey chronicles the transformation and resurgence of the Washington Capitals. The book includes original interviews with key figures from the team, providing a detailed and personal look at the team's history, challenges, and successes.
In 'East of Eden', John Steinbeck tells the story of the Trask and Hamilton families, set against the backdrop of California's Salinas Valley. The novel is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, focusing on the tumultuous relationship between Cal and Aron Trask, and their struggles with their father, Adam. The book delves into themes of love, rejection, and the choice between good and evil, symbolized by the Hebrew word 'timshel', meaning 'thou mayest'. The narrative is rich with characters like Samuel Hamilton, a kind and wise patriarch, and Kate, the embodiment of evil, whose past and actions significantly impact the lives of the Trasks.
This book provides a detailed historical account of Joan of Arc's life, her military campaigns, her trial, and her eventual execution. It draws from historical documents and witness testimonies to offer a comprehensive view of her experiences. The book concludes with the rehabilitation trial that led to her canonization as a saint.
In this book, Barbara W. Tuchman delves into the complexities of the 14th century, a period characterized by the juxtaposition of a glittering age of crusades, cathedrals, and chivalry with a world plunged into chaos and spiritual agony. Tuchman examines the great rhythms of history as well as the details of domestic life, including childhood, marriage, and the impact of money, taxes, and war on various social classes. She re-creates the lives of diverse figures such as cardinals, scholars, grocers, saints, and knights, providing a comprehensive and vivid portrait of medieval Europe. The book also draws parallels between the calamities of the 14th century and those of the 20th century, particularly the devastating effects of the plague and World War I[1][2][4].
Ursula K. Le Guin's "The Language of the Night" is a collection of essays exploring the nature of science fiction and fantasy. Le Guin challenges traditional genre boundaries and argues for a more inclusive and nuanced approach to storytelling. She emphasizes the importance of craft and the power of language to shape our understanding of the world. The essays offer insightful critiques of various authors and works, while also reflecting on Le Guin's own creative process. The collection is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the theory and practice of speculative fiction.
Catch Joshua Turek on comedy tour this summer! Tickets are up for shows in NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego, L.A., Seattle, Portland, Kansas City with more dates and cities coming soon at joshuaturek.com
Author of "The Body is a Doorway", Sophie Strand talks with host Joshua Turek about her memoir, mycellial networks, books as guides to our psychic lives, and how both of them want to open bookstores. Check out Sophie's work here https://sophiestrand.com/
Books talked about include:
Plants in the imaginale realm
Ursula Leguin The Language of the Night
A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman
Joan of Arc by herself and her witnesses
Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown
Lonesome Dove Larry McMurtry
Books by Larry Mcmurtry
the One Inside Sam Shepherd
Joseph Campbell myth books
Confederacy of Dunces
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Turek Books Podcast 
