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The Book Pile

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Mar 13, 2025 • 28min

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

SUMMARY: Fight Club is a story with one of the most famous twist endings in book and movie history (they find out violence is good...) But before it was a hit movie, did you know it was also a disgusting book? Join Kellen and Dave as they complain about this well-written book they both kind of hate.WATCH KELLEN'S NEW COMEDY SPECIAL ON YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpBt0W1zrDU&t=1237sKELLEN ERSKINE IS IN ON TOUR!MAR 16 New Bremen, OHMAR 20 PittsburghMAR 28 Bakersfield, CAAPR 2-4 St Pete, Clearwater, & Delray Beach, FLAPR 25-26 IndianaMAY 9-10 DallasMAY 17 St Charles, ILFor tickets go to KellenErskine.com-Get two free tickets to any of Kellen's live shows in 2025 by joining The Book Pile's Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/TheBookPile-Dave’s book / game The Starlings is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBBLGXN?ref=myi_title_dpTHE HOSTS!-Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's America's Got Talent, and the Amazon Original Series Inside Jokes. He has garnered over 200 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy. In 2018 he was selected to perform on the “New Faces” showcase at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He currently tours the country www.KellenErskine.com-David Vance's videos have garnered over 1 billion views. He has written viral ads for companies like Squatty Potty, Chatbooks, and Lumē, and sketches for the comedy show Studio C. His work has received two Webby Awards, and appeared on Conan.
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Mar 10, 2025 • 30min

THE ROAST OF Star Wars: The Force Awakens (the novelization of the movie), by Alan Dean Foster

JOIN OUR PATREON FOR BoNuS EpiSoDEs!https://patreon.com/TheBookPile*The king returns. Alan Dean is back, and he’s more Alan Dean than ever. Break out the thesauruses as we do a live roast of his novelization of The Force Awakens. Plus, Kellen teaches you some vocab words and Dave has a guessing game.*To buy the book and support the podcast, click HERE!https://amzn.to/3IJIhsx*Dave’s book / game The Starlings is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBBLGXN?ref=myi_title_dp*Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's America's Got Talent, and the Amazon Original Series Inside Jokes. He has garnered over 100 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy. In 2018 he was selected to perform on the “New Faces” showcase at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He currently tours the country www.KellenErskine.com*David Vance's videos have garnered over 1 billion views. He has written viral ads for companies like Squatty Potty, Chatbooks, and Lumē, and sketches for the comedy show Studio C. His work has received two Webby Awards, and appeared on Conan. He currently works as a writer on the sitcom Freelancers.
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Feb 24, 2025 • 25min

The Body, by Bill Bryson

Dive into a whimsical exploration of the human body, where every organ plays a comedic role, like a tiny Phantom of the Opera. Discover the quirky consequences of antibiotic overuse through a fictional zombie scenario. The hosts hilariously tackle health superstitions and critiquing absurd cultural beliefs around pregnancy. They also connect everyday curiosities—like jet skis—to fascinating aspects of biology, sharing laughs on topics like childbirth and baldness. This blend of humor and science makes for an entertaining ride!
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Feb 19, 2025 • 31min

Re-Issue: Excellent Advice for Living, by Kevin Kelly

SUMMARY: Enjoy a digitally-remastered edit of one of our favorite episodes, where the author shares exactly what the book is called. Plus, Dave tells a story about being accidentally cool at a wedding, and Dave disagrees with a brilliant plan that Kellen has for safe combat with burglars...WATCH KELLEN'S NEW COMEDY SPECIAL ON YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpBt0W1zrDU&t=1237sKELLEN ERSKINE IS IN ON TOUR!MAR 16 New Bremen, OHMAR 20 PittsburghMAR 28 Bakersfield, CAPR 4 Delray Beach, FLAPR 25-26 IndianaMAY 9-10 DallasMAY 17 St Charles, ILFor tickets go to KellenErskine.com-Get two free tickets to any of Kellen's live shows in 2025 by joining The Book Pile's Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/TheBookPile-Dave’s book / game The Starlings is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBBLGXN?ref=myi_title_dpTHE HOSTS!-Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's America's Got Talent, and the Amazon Original Series Inside Jokes. He has garnered over 200 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy. In 2018 he was selected to perform on the “New Faces” showcase at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He currently tours the country www.KellenErskine.com-David Vance's videos have garnered over 1 billion views. He has written viral ads for companies like Squatty Potty, Chatbooks, and Lumē, and sketches for the comedy show Studio C. His work has received two Webby Awards, and appeared on Conan. He currently works as a writer on the sitcom Freelancers.
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Feb 10, 2025 • 34min

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

What if classic romance took a spooky twist? The hosts humorously envision therapy sessions for famous literary couples, framing the discussion around 'Jane Eyre.' They explore the novel's depth, Jane's witty retorts, and unconventional romance with Rochester. The balance of beauty and darkness reflects real-life relationship dynamics. Trust, deception, and empowerment take center stage as they examine Jane's fight for equality and worth, inviting listeners to reflect on love, agency, and psychological realism.
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8 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 26min

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Life is finite, making each of our 4,000 weeks incredibly valuable. The hosts humorously explore how our perceptions of time shape our priorities, from enjoying tacos to embracing chaos. They challenge traditional productivity, advocating for meaningful engagement over endless busyness. Personal anecdotes reveal the struggle against societal expectations and the longing for joy amid mundane routines. A refreshing take on time management emphasizes what truly matters in a world filled with distractions.
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Jan 21, 2025 • 16min

How to Read 100 Books This Year

Learn how to tackle the impressive goal of reading 100 books in just one year! Discover practical tips for managing book lists and effectively using audiobooks. The host shares entertaining stories that highlight the joy of reading. Plus, get inspired with strategies that make reading a fun and achievable challenge.
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Jan 15, 2025 • 25min

Everybody Lies, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

SUMMARY: To celebrate this book about dishonesty, we’re gonna test how well you know Kellen and Dave with a game of two truths and a lie. You ready? See if you know us well enough to pass the quiz.1. Statement 2 is false.2. Statement 3 is true.3. Statement 1 is false.Alright, we’ll see which of you are superfans!WATCH KELLEN'S NEW COMEDY SPECIAL "NEGATIVE COMMENTS" ON YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpBt0W1zrDU&t=1237s-Get two free tickets to any of Kellen's live shows in 2024-2025 by joining The Book Pile's Patreon at:https://www.patreon.com/TheBookPile-Dave’s book / game The Starlings is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBBLGXN?ref=myi_title_dpTHE HOSTS!-Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's America's Got Talent, and the Amazon Original Series Inside Jokes. He has garnered over 200 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy. In 2018 he was selected to perform on the “New Faces” showcase at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He currently tours the country www.KellenErskine.com-David Vance's videos have garnered over 1 billion views. He has written viral ads for companies like Squatty Potty, Chatbooks, and Lumē, and sketches for the comedy show Studio C. His work has received two Webby Awards, and appeared on Conan. He currently works as a writer on the sitcom Freelancers.
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Dec 30, 2024 • 38min

Our Favorite Books of 2024!

This discussion dives into an intriguing mix of murder, therapy, and even Lyndon B. Johnson in their favorite books of the year. Listeners can expect recommended reads that range from Gothic adventures to humorous science fiction featuring sentient spiders. The hosts reflect on the meaning of time through '4,000 Weeks' and share thoughts on the downsides of relentless productivity. Enjoy a playful banter laden with personal anecdotes, emotional connections to literature, and a memorable game highlighting their reading journeys.
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Dec 23, 2024 • 22min

Re-Issue: A Christmas Carol (with an EVEN NEWER introduction for 2024!)

Dive into the darker humor and moral lessons of 'A Christmas Carol' as the hosts reflect on its themes of Christmas spirit and self-improvement. Enjoy lighthearted banter about listener misconceptions and absurd literary critiques. Discover the whimsical complexities of the English language, highlighted by playful competitions in personal photography. The discussion also explores the balance between capturing moments for social media and truly experiencing life, drawing parallels with cinematic narratives. Perfect for holiday cheer!

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