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The Book Pile

Latest episodes

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Aug 21, 2023 • 37min

Murder on the Orient Express, PLUS Kellen & Dave celebrate their 149th episode!

OUR PATREON IS LIVE! GET BONUS CONTENT FROM THE BOOK PILE WHILE SUPPORTING US! CLICK RIGHT BELOW THIS SENTENCE!https://patreon.com/TheBookPile*Exciting news today as we announce the launch of our Patreon! Also, today we cover one of Agatha Christie’s most famous whodunnits, as well as the magical parody, “Murder on the Hogwarts Express”, in which Neville is stabbed to death with a dozen knives and no one notices...Plus, Kellen announces a new special! And Dave tells you about his bad dreams.*To buy the book and support the podcast, purchase Murder on the Orient Express HERE!https://amzn.to/3E5o5yY*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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Aug 14, 2023 • 25min

RANKED: Biographies (from worst to best...)

Kellen ranks his top 12 biographies from worst to best, and he's probably wrong. From Einstein to the Dave Grohl (same guy, basically), there's something here for everybody, especially if you're Kellen. Have a listen, and have fun disagreeing!If you want to read or listen to any of the books from today's episode and support the The Book Pile, click on the links below!Shoe Dog, by Phil Knighthttps://amzn.to/45myQbEGreenlights, by Matthew MacCoHneGHuey(?)https://amzn.to/3OSyh42Einstein: His Life and Universe, by Walter Isaacsonhttps://amzn.to/45uxhZtOn Writing, by Stephen Kinghttps://amzn.to/3YCBsQvSteven Jobs, by Walter Isaacsonhttps://amzn.to/3OAP7CXYes, Please, by Amy Poehlerhttps://amzn.to/3OCft7RThe Prehistory of The Far Side, by Gary Larsonhttps://amzn.to/3QxX7HGGroucho and Me, by Groucho Marxhttps://amzn.to/449Xg7oBossypants, by Tina Fey (she has my favorite nonfiction book cover)https://amzn.to/3OCZ7M6The Storyteller, by Dave Grohlhttps://amzn.to/3sgTVpBLeonardo da Vinci, by Walter Isaacsonhttps://amzn.to/3OAPUDVHONORABLE MENTIONS (in no order)Born Standing Up, by Steve Martinhttps://amzn.to/3qxlASYUnbroken, by Laura Hillenbrandhttps://amzn.to/3qxPCpBThe Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didionhttps://amzn.to/3Ox1Uq5Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglasshttps://amzn.to/45oNNdkThe Undoing Project, by Michael Lewishttps://amzn.to/3KExnpaThe Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haleyhttps://amzn.to/3QzbjjLMe, Elton Johnhttps://amzn.to/45afEOS*Message us at: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 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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Jul 31, 2023 • 28min

RANKED: Michael Crichton Books

Kellen is a big fan of Michael Crichton, and who isn't? (Dinosaurs and Crichton's four ex-wives, that's who...) This is the correct list of Crichton's thrillers from worst to best, and as with all lists of entertainment, you are going to agree with the placement of every one of these books and not object to anything...*To buy the books or listen to one for free on Audible and support the podcast, click on the links below!-Eaters of the Deadhttps://amzn.to/3ObTrIV-Nexthttps://amzn.to/3YhyrVu-Rising Sunhttps://amzn.to/44M373X-Congohttps://amzn.to/478Ql0X-Pirate Latitudeshttps://amzn.to/3O9W3a6-Airframehttps://amzn.to/3DD0Dsu-Preyhttps://amzn.to/455UtNb-Timelinehttps://amzn.to/3O7Tsxq-State of Fearhttps://amzn.to/3OEpvGU-Jurassic Parkhttps://amzn.to/3YixTz0-The Great Train Robberyhttps://amzn.to/475Hz3P-Spherehttps://amzn.to/3YdpA7g*Message us at: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 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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Jul 24, 2023 • 31min

THE ROAST OF: Jaws, by Peter Benchley

Before it was a great movie, it was a un-great book. And this shark book would have been much better if it stuck to writing about sharks. Instead, it is about the “shark” of adult life: extramarital infidelity. It is also about the “shark” of the mafia world – the mafia. Plus, Kellen says there’s no such thing as too much conflict, and Dave says there’s no such thing as too much adultery.*To buy the book, Jaws, and support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3Y2LudD *Message us at: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 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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Jul 10, 2023 • 37min

The Little Prince Series by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Niccolo Machiavelli...

Today we cover one of the most heartwarming children’s series in history, both in the sense of being sweet, and in the sense of roasting your enemy’s heart on a spit. Book 1, The Little Prince, covers how a little boy travels the stars. And Book 2, The Prince, is how your least favorite politician came to power. Plus, Dave has thoughts on velociraptors and Kellen wants you to follow your dreams.*To buy the book, The Little Prince, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3YbLnMTTo buy the book, The Prince,  AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/45pWYuf*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 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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Jul 3, 2023 • 33min

Bears Want to Kill You, By Ethan Nicolle -- WITH GUEST ETHAN NICOLLE

Bears don't hibernate, they weight-train through the winter. This is just one of hundreds of bear facts available in the fictional non-fiction book Bears Want to Kill You: The Authoritative Guide to Survival in the War Between Man and Bear. Author Ethan Nicolle (who has a girl's last name) joins Kellen, sharing not only insights from writing this book, but stories of his encounters with Elon Musk, Henry Winkler, and Larry the Cable Guy. Seriously, he does not stop talking about all the famous people he knows.*To buy the book, Bears Want to Kill You, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3KgaDf5*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 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
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Jun 26, 2023 • 47min

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Dragons. Treasure. Adventures. Daring. This story has everything! (Except women.) Join Bilbo Baggins, and Kellen and Dave, as we travel Middle Earth with this classic fantasy book. Plus, Kellen has pointers on writing good riddles in the dar, Dave makes a big announcement, and Gandalf's original name sounded like medicine.*To buy the book, The Hobbit, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3QePuFJ*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 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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Jun 12, 2023 • 11min

Mini-Episode: Beatles Teaser!

You get one and half episodes this week (the half being today's mini-episode), so you're welcome. Dave and Kellen tease a couple details from All The Songs,  the book  they're covering this Thursday, 6/15, which details every song that The Beatles (a small band from England) ever recorded. Plus, Kellen gets almost as dark as John Lennon's lyrics with a John Lennon joke, and Dave relates a misunderstanding he had with the O.J. trial.*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 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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Jun 5, 2023 • 34min

THE ACCIDENTAL ROAST OF: Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach

Have you ever wondered if you're living your full potential? Well Richard Bach doesn't think you've ever wondered that, and he spends a lot of time using a bird to tell you that you should live your full potential.*To buy the book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/473U6Vl*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 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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May 22, 2023 • 39min

(The Arrival movie was based on) Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang

Our YouTube channel is here (audio only, for now): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1QXNiZn4c0btMe0K0piUeQStop! This book is a TRAP to trick you into thinking about MATH and SCIENCE by luring you in with your EMOTIONS. Don’t fall for it! Even though this collection of stories is fantastic. You can’t trick us THAT easily, Ted Chiang. No one’s gonna fool ol’ Dave and Kellen into knowing stuff! Plus, Kellen has now brought up Inception so many times that he is for sure in a dream, and Dave wants you to see him for more than just his beauty.*To buy the book, Stories of Your Life and Others, or listen to it free on Audible AND support the podcast, click here!https://amzn.to/3QuJxoe*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 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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