

The Book Pile
Kellen Erskine and David Vance
A podcast where comedians tell you about books so you never have to read! (Now including fiction!) Kellen does standup; Dave writes ads; together they highlight lessons from the world’s best books--and some of the worst. New episode every Monday!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 21, 2021 • 30min
Emma by Jane Austen
Today on The Book Pile, we’re pleased to launch the career of promising new author Jane Austen, whose novel Emma tells the story of a girl named Emma. (You can support Jane at her Patreon or via PayPal!) Plus, Kellen believes arguments make stories more interesting. (Counter-argument: no.) And Dave gives tips for breaking up your friend’s engagement.*To buy the book, Emma, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3q8UwJATheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com*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 50 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, Quebec. Kellen was named one of TBS's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2017. He currently tours the country.*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.

Jun 14, 2021 • 29min
The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
Tolkien is the first person to invent both a new genre (high fantasy) and a new type of person (the nerd). Before Tolkien, thousands of young geeks could only engage in their classic hobbies, like being sickly or dying of consumption. Plus, Dave has sympathy for orcs, and Kellen wishes Tolkien left in more details...*To buy the book, The Fellowship of the Ring, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3Kmx4iI*TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com*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 50 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, Quebec. Kellen was named one of TBS's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2017. He currently tours the country.*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.

Jun 7, 2021 • 27min
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Yes Please is the memoir of comedian Amy Poehler, which inspired us to write our own memoirs with similar titles. (Excuse Me by Kellen; Can you Pass the Salt? by Dave.) Plus, Kellen REALLY wants you to send him your movie script. And Dave is inspired by Conan O’Brien’s unrelenting self-cruelty. (He’s just like us!)*To buy the book, Yes Please, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3rZHn5Q*TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com*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 50 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, Quebec. Kellen was named one of TBS's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2017. He currently tours the country.*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.

May 31, 2021 • 29min
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Martian tells the story of an astronaut trying to survive alone on Mars, so why isn’t it called The Earthling? Huge let down! We thought there would be aliens! If you write a non-alien book, make that clear from the top and stop wasting our time. Plus, Kellen talks about how the author uses jokes to smuggle in information (instead of including aliens) and Dave is the one writing this description and he is LIVID that this was marketed as “The Martian”! Can you imagine reading a book called “The Italian," but it’s just some dude from Florida on a trip to Italy?! There would be a class action suit.*To buy the book, The Martian, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3rRHj8h*TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com*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 50 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, Quebec. Kellen was named one of TBS's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2017. He currently tours the country.*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.

May 24, 2021 • 28min
The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Want to create moments so memorable that you and loved ones remember them the rest of your lives (and you’ve already seen Kellen’s standup)? The Power of Moments teaches you how! Plus, Dave has a story about his Mom, and Kellen’s family has a new and potentially dangerous holiday tradition.*To buy the book, The Power of Moments, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3YnzFP9*TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com*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 50 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, Quebec. Kellen was named one of TBS's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2017. He currently tours the country.*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.

May 17, 2021 • 24min
The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
A simple checklist can change your life. Don’t believe us? Then explain “Live Laugh Love”. Plus, Kellen makes fun of Johns Hopkins and Dave has an idea for police lineups.*To buy the book, The Checklist Manifesto, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3qolT26*TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com*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 50 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, Quebec. Kellen was named one of TBS's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2017. He currently tours the country.*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.

May 10, 2021 • 33min
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
The podcast discusses the book 'Essentialism' by Greg McKeown, focusing on topics like prioritization, the impact of sleep on productivity, the benefits of play, and the importance of financial security in decision-making. The hosts also share humorous anecdotes and playful debates throughout the episode.

May 3, 2021 • 32min
Moneyball by Michael Lewis
In Moneyball, Michael Lewis discusses the most exciting part of baseball -- the front office! (Closely followed by hot dogs, box seats, bench-clearing fights, and when the game is canceled.) When Billy Beane broke with a century of traditional scouting methods, he turned one of the poorest franchises in baseball into a record-breaking team within two years. Plus Dave makes fun of baseball, and also Kellen makes fun of baseball.*To buy the book, Moneyball, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/43RRV4y*

Apr 26, 2021 • 25min
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
In Invisible Women, Caroline Criado Perez talks about all the ways women are ignored by society. So we had an idea -- take the same message, but have it come from two men. Plus, Dave has thoughts on a Viking skeleton, and Kellen explores the world’s worst mascot.*To buy the book, Invisible Women, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/45cYVdi*TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com*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 50 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, Quebec. Kellen was named one of TBS's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2017. He currently tours the country.*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.

Apr 19, 2021 • 30min
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire raises the crucial question -- does Voldemort ever get embarrassed that he’s constantly beaten by a literal child? Like, imagine you had a reputation for being good at your job, and yet you keep getting beaten by an eighth-grader. You would be humiliated. Also, Kellen hates Ron Weasley, and Dave gets mushy.*To buy the book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/459FCS2*TheBookPilePodcast@gmail.com*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 50 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, Quebec. Kellen was named one of TBS's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2017. He currently tours the country.*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.