Turek Books Podcast

Teen Vogue journalist Lisa Kwon joins Joshua to talk about her contempt for summer and the joys of winter as represented by her book choices. She tells of one novel about a Red Lobster closing (timely) while another one “The Guest” by Emma Cline follows one woman’s purgatory through a summer in the Hamptons. Lisa and Joshua talk about both growing up on the periphery of L.A. and their feelings about palm trees.check out Josh’s comedy tour dates (Bay Area and Chicago coming up!) and signed copies of his poetry book at joshuaturek.comLisa’s writing can be found first at https://www.instagram.com/lisaskwon?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==books talked about include:”The Guest” by Emma ClineLast Night at the Lobster by Stewart O’NanThe Image by Daniel J Boorstin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian and TV writer for "Dave" on FX, Biniam Bizuneh visits the podcast to talk about time travel, the power of the mind and placebo effect, coping with an unnatural world, the book "Fourth Wing" which he describes as "Harry Potter" meets "Game of Thrones" and starting an ayuhuasca smoothie bowl cafe.For Josh's poetry book and tour dates visit joshuaturek.com he'll be in Portland Oregon on August 24th, 2024!To check out Biniam's work go to his instagram https://www.instagram.com/biniambiz/?hl=enBooks talked about includeFourth Wing by Rebecca YarhosSapiensThe Holographic Universe by Michael TalbotThe Love Affairs of Nathaniel P by Adelle WaldmanReplay by Ken GrimwoodEmpire of Illusions by Chris HedgesBetween the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi CoatesBig Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Simon Gibson has been seen on Amazon and NBC's Canonball, he joins Joshua to talk about the show they are co-headlining in Portland Oregon on Saturday night August 24th, 2024 so tell your Portland friends tickets are available here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/85326006/simon-gibson-joshua-turek-portland-mississippi-studios . They also discuss books, Simon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic novels he has had since he was 5 years old and might not be worth the millions he thought? A memoir on stand up comedy he wishes he had read twice at different moments in his career. While Simon also explains how on of Josh's poems in his new debut poetry book reminds him of his time selling outdoor trailer campers during lockdown. Simon passionately opines about the Jurassic Park book by Michael Crichton that last week's guest Noah also talked about. Josh shares how a poet on instagram sent him his book and it was so good he almost cried on the bus ride over.Simon Gibson can be found here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simeygibson/?hl=enWeb Site: https://simongibsonisfunny.com/Signed copies of Josh's debut poetry book and tour dates are here:joshuaturek.comBooks talked about include:Jurassic Park by Michael CrichtonHow to Succeed Without Really Crying by Carol LeiferGod of the Air Hose by Cesar AvelarL.A. Confidential by Elmore LeonardKurt Vonnegut's first book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer on the Seth Rogen television series "Platonic", Noah Findling stops by to talk about how he rekindled his love affair with reading by bringing "Jurrassic Park" on his honeymoon. He and Joshua get into their anxieties over the future, doomsday prepping, and how 401k plans might not be necessary in 30 years. Joshua talks starting the famous sci fi L.A. dystopian novel "Parable of the Sower" and Noah tells of how Philip Roth's bodily obsessions aligned with his own upbringing. We also read recommendations from listeners!Portland Oregon and Richmond California get tickets to Joshua's upcoming comedy shows and for signed copies of his debut poetry book on JoshuaTurek.comCheck out Noah on instagram @noahbuilttheark and noahfindlingcomedy.comBooks talks bout include:Jurassic Park by Michael CrichtonThe Sphere by Michael CrichtonPortnoy's Compaint by Philip RothParable of the Sower by Octavia Butler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co-host of the Tea Time podcast, comedian Harper-Rose Drummond joins Joshua Turek to talk about crying over books and finding security in having three of them on your bed at all times. She describes falling in love with reading again during the pandemic and doing acid with her dad at a Grateful Dead concert right before that. Joshua brings a couple of downer books about the decay of the American empire while Harper sings the praises of a fantasy series called "The Assassins Blade". They also discuss the ethics of reading the popular erotic novel "A Court of Thorns and Roses" on a train.Harper Rose-Drummond's instagram and podcast can be found here:ig: https://www.instagram.com/harperrosed/?hl=enpodcast yt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HhYu0Ui4ioSigned copies of Joshua's debut poetry book and a list of his comedy tour dates can be found at joshuaturek.com PORTLAND, OREGON get tickets to his show August 24th at Mississippi Studios Theater here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/85326006/simon-gibson-joshua-turek-portland-mississippi-studiosPlease remember to rate this podcast and click that follow button if you enjoy it!Books talked about include:The Assassin's Blade by Sara J. MaasA Court of Thorn and Roses by Sara J. MaasThe Song of Achilles by Madeline MillerWalk Two Moons by Sharon CreechThe Image by Daniel J BoorstinEmpire of Illusion by Chris HedgesJumping the Nail by Eve Bunting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rolling Stone journalist Miles Klee brings a selection of French melancholia, Jamaica Kincaid, and tells how Mark Twain inspired Wil E. Coyote and Looney Tunes. He and Joshua briefly bond over riding the bus in L.A. to get to the podcast recording and delve into the joy of an Irish Goodbye. After listening to Miles tell of a story where the protagonist hates being at a party in one of his books, Joshua even wonders if the entire pleasure for introverts at a party isn't building up enough tension to feel the relief of leaving.Remember to rate the podcast! (if you like it)(if you don't go rate someone elses podcast who you do like bc it helps us) and subscribe if you haven't!Hosted by Joshua Turekfor touring dates and his debut poetry book visit joshuaturek.comBooks Talked About Include:"True False" and "Ivyland" by Miles Klee"Lucy" by Jamaica Kincaid"Roughing It" by Mark Twain"Downstream" by Joris-Karl Huysmans"1984" "Down and Out in Paris and London" "Animal Farm" by George Orwell"Any Person is the Only Self" by Elisa Gabbert"The Voice Imitator" by Thomas Bernhard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedy Central Half Hour Comedian and Finding My Audience podcast host, Allen Strickland Williams joins Joshua to discuss books written by his friends including one he calls the best book about comedy since Steve Martin's "Born Standing Up". They get into the best French Dip sandwich in downtown Los Angeles, a little Mike Davis per usual for Joshua, and how Allen's favorite Kurt Vonnegut book seems to be no one elses.Books talked about include:Running the Light by Sam TallentDriven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell and John RateyCall Me By Your Name by Andre AcimanSlapstick by Kurt VonnegutDead Cities by Mike DavisBorn Standing Up by Steve MartinYou can find all things Allen Strickland WIlliams here https://www.allenstricklandwilliams.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Dear White People" writer/director Justin Simien joins Joshua Turek to discuss the book "Hollywood Black" which was the source material for his new docu-series of the same name. At the top of the Hollywood ladder but still dissatisfied, it was the books of Hollywood historian, Donald Bogle, specifically his Black history pieces which inspired Justin to become conduit of untold contributions to cinema by Black filmmakers by making a documentary telling their stories. He also discusses the book "The War of Art" and its heavy influence on breaking through his own creative resistances to getting the work done and finally completing his Sundance film "Dear White People" which also later became a show on Netflix. Lastly, he shares "Inner Gold" by Robert A Johnson, a Jungian self help book made simple for the people, dealing heavily in how to understand your own power in a world constantly asking you to give it away. All these books form a tapestry for how Justin approaches his art and life, his conversation is lively and illuminating. Enjoy! And be share to rate the podcast if you are enjoying it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reservation Dogs and Fallout's, Dallas Goldtooth joins Joshua to discuss North American Indigenous history and his love of sci-fi. How his decades working as an organizer and activist taught him that a powerful story is a necessity to instigate change in the world. Dallas talks how books are a therapeutic escape but also a way for him to comb stories for morsels of imagining a more vibrant way of living. He and Joshua examine how story can exist in a compelling but non-violent way in a more ideal world and Dallas lends an example through a myth of his people involving a snow giant and a trickster as allegory for the very real dangers of the winter cold. This is the first remote episode of the podcast, Joshua records from inside a study room at the library and Dallas from his son's room. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BoJack Horseman's, Aparna Nancherla joins Joshua to talk about her favorite formative books "A House on Mango Street" and "The Phantom Tollbooth". The comedian, author, and actor delves into the struggles she faced with Imposter Syndrome while writing her memoir "Unreliable Narrator" about the very trials of that very Imposter Syndrome. She and Joshua explore how the end result to a story about yourself is not an end at all, and how an honest conclusion can be an open one. They share their mutual love of libraries and the prolific comedian pulls out a wide array of contemporary fiction and nonfiction from the tote bag she was given at the Miami Beach Book Fair, an unlikely festival for such a beach forward city. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.