Good Scribes Only

Daniel Breyer, Jeremy Streich
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Nov 12, 2025 • 19min

#150 Does Art Reveal or Reflect Humanity?

About the Book:Published in 2005, Never Let Me Go is Kazuo Ishiguro’s haunting meditation on memory, identity, and what it means to be human. The novel follows Kathy H., a young woman reflecting on her years at Hailsham—a seemingly idyllic English boarding school where children are raised apart from the outside world. As Kathy recounts her friendships with Ruth and Tommy, a devastating truth slowly emerges about who they are and the purpose for which they exist.Blending the intimacy of a coming-of-age story with the quiet horror of dystopian science fiction, Ishiguro creates a world that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling. Never Let Me Go is less about the machinery of its imagined future than the emotional landscape of those who live within it—love, loss, and the longing to hold onto something fleetingly human in an inhuman world. The novel was a finalist for the Booker Prize and was later adapted into a celebrated 2010 film.About the Author:Kazuo Ishiguro is a British novelist, screenwriter, and short story writer known for his elegant, restrained prose and exploration of memory, morality, and self-deception. Born in Nagasaki, Japan in 1954, he moved to England as a child and later studied creative writing at the University of East Anglia.Ishiguro’s works include The Remains of the Day (1989), which won the Booker Prize, and Klara and the Sun (2021), among others. His fiction often takes the form of quiet personal reflection that gradually reveals profound emotional truths. In 2017, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for novels that, in the words of the Swedish Academy, “uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world.” WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website
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Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 1min

#149 Never Let Me Go - Kazou Ishiguro (Speculative Fiction)

About the Book:Published in 2005, Never Let Me Go is Kazuo Ishiguro’s haunting meditation on memory, identity, and what it means to be human. The novel follows Kathy H., a young woman reflecting on her years at Hailsham—a seemingly idyllic English boarding school where children are raised apart from the outside world. As Kathy recounts her friendships with Ruth and Tommy, a devastating truth slowly emerges about who they are and the purpose for which they exist.Blending the intimacy of a coming-of-age story with the quiet horror of dystopian science fiction, Ishiguro creates a world that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling. Never Let Me Go is less about the machinery of its imagined future than the emotional landscape of those who live within it—love, loss, and the longing to hold onto something fleetingly human in an inhuman world. The novel was a finalist for the Booker Prize and was later adapted into a celebrated 2010 film.About the Author:Kazuo Ishiguro is a British novelist, screenwriter, and short story writer known for his elegant, restrained prose and exploration of memory, morality, and self-deception. Born in Nagasaki, Japan in 1954, he moved to England as a child and later studied creative writing at the University of East Anglia.Ishiguro’s works include The Remains of the Day (1989), which won the Booker Prize, and Klara and the Sun (2021), among others. His fiction often takes the form of quiet personal reflection that gradually reveals profound emotional truths. In 2017, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for novels that, in the words of the Swedish Academy, “uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world.” WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website
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Oct 15, 2025 • 17min

#148 Road Trip Recap

About the Book:Published in 1945, Cannery Row is John Steinbeck’s affectionate portrait of a working-class community on the waterfront of Monterey, California, during the Great Depression. The novel centers on the lives of a cast of misfits—Doc, the gentle marine biologist; Mack and his band of good-hearted troublemakers; Dora and her girls at the local brothel—who make do with little but find meaning in friendship, small joys, and resilience.Rather than a traditional plot, Cannery Row is a series of interconnected sketches that celebrate the humor, hardship, and humanity of ordinary people. Steinbeck blends lyricism with grit, tenderness with satire, capturing both the struggles of poverty and the enduring beauty of community life. At once nostalgic and unsparing, Cannery Row remains one of his most beloved works.About the Author:John Steinbeck (1902–1968) was an American novelist, essayist, and journalist whose works captured the spirit and struggles of 20th-century America. Born in Salinas, California, Steinbeck drew heavily on the landscapes, communities, and migrant workers of his native state. His novels often explored themes of labor, poverty, human dignity, and the bonds of community.Steinbeck’s best-known works include Of Mice and Men (1937), The Grapes of Wrath (1939), which won the Pulitzer Prize, and East of Eden (1952). His clear-eyed yet compassionate storytelling made him one of the most important voices of his generation. In 1962, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his “realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website
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Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 3min

#147 Cannery Row - John Steinbeck

About the Book:Published in 1945, Cannery Row is John Steinbeck’s affectionate portrait of a working-class community on the waterfront of Monterey, California, during the Great Depression. The novel centers on the lives of a cast of misfits—Doc, the gentle marine biologist; Mack and his band of good-hearted troublemakers; Dora and her girls at the local brothel—who make do with little but find meaning in friendship, small joys, and resilience.Rather than a traditional plot, Cannery Row is a series of interconnected sketches that celebrate the humor, hardship, and humanity of ordinary people. Steinbeck blends lyricism with grit, tenderness with satire, capturing both the struggles of poverty and the enduring beauty of community life. At once nostalgic and unsparing, Cannery Row remains one of his most beloved works.About the Author:John Steinbeck (1902–1968) was an American novelist, essayist, and journalist whose works captured the spirit and struggles of 20th-century America. Born in Salinas, California, Steinbeck drew heavily on the landscapes, communities, and migrant workers of his native state. His novels often explored themes of labor, poverty, human dignity, and the bonds of community.Steinbeck’s best-known works include Of Mice and Men (1937), The Grapes of Wrath (1939), which won the Pulitzer Prize, and East of Eden (1952). His clear-eyed yet compassionate storytelling made him one of the most important voices of his generation. In 1962, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his “realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website
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Sep 17, 2025 • 14min

#146 Lightweight Centurions

About the Book:First published in 1969, The Andromeda Strain is Michael Crichton’s groundbreaking techno-thriller that launched him into literary stardom. The novel begins when a satellite crashes near a small desert town in Arizona, releasing a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism. A team of top scientists is rushed to a secret underground lab, tasked with identifying, containing, and stopping the microscopic threat before it spreads beyond control.Taut, chilling, and meticulously researched, The Andromeda Strain blends cutting-edge science with page-turning suspense. Its portrayal of crisis management, biohazards, and the limits of human preparedness was ahead of its time, and it remains a cornerstone of the science-fiction thriller genre. The novel was an instant bestseller and later adapted into both film and television, cementing Crichton’s reputation as a master of high-stakes, science-driven storytelling.About the Author:Michael Crichton (1942–2008) was an American author, screenwriter, director, and physician best known for blending science, technology, and suspense in his novels. With works translated into more than 30 languages and over 200 million copies sold worldwide, he was one of the most widely read authors of his time.Crichton wrote a string of blockbuster novels including Jurassic Park (1990), Congo (1980), Sphere (1987), and Timeline (1999). Many were adapted into major motion pictures, most famously Steven Spielberg’s film version of Jurassic Park. In television, he created the hit medical drama ER, which revolutionized the genre and won numerous awards. Trained as a doctor at Harvard Medical School, Crichton brought an unparalleled authenticity to his science-driven plots. His legacy endures as a storyteller who merged imagination with scientific possibility to both entertain and provoke. WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website
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Sep 11, 2025 • 55min

#145 The Andromeda Strain - Michael Crichton (Arizona)

About the Book:First published in 1969, The Andromeda Strain is Michael Crichton’s groundbreaking techno-thriller that launched him into literary stardom. The novel begins when a satellite crashes near a small desert town in Arizona, releasing a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism. A team of top scientists is rushed to a secret underground lab, tasked with identifying, containing, and stopping the microscopic threat before it spreads beyond control.Taut, chilling, and meticulously researched, The Andromeda Strain blends cutting-edge science with page-turning suspense. Its portrayal of crisis management, biohazards, and the limits of human preparedness was ahead of its time, and it remains a cornerstone of the science-fiction thriller genre. The novel was an instant bestseller and later adapted into both film and television, cementing Crichton’s reputation as a master of high-stakes, science-driven storytelling.About the Author:Michael Crichton (1942–2008) was an American author, screenwriter, director, and physician best known for blending science, technology, and suspense in his novels. With works translated into more than 30 languages and over 200 million copies sold worldwide, he was one of the most widely read authors of his time.Crichton wrote a string of blockbuster novels including Jurassic Park (1990), Congo (1980), Sphere (1987), and Timeline (1999). Many were adapted into major motion pictures, most famously Steven Spielberg’s film version of Jurassic Park. In television, he created the hit medical drama ER, which revolutionized the genre and won numerous awards. Trained as a doctor at Harvard Medical School, Crichton brought an unparalleled authenticity to his science-driven plots. His legacy endures as a storyteller who merged imagination with scientific possibility to both entertain and provoke. WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website
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5 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 17min

#144 There's No Turning Back

Explore the rich themes of cultural disconnection and belonging in literature and film, particularly through the lens of 'House Made of Dawn.' Dive into the allure of cults and the dangers of seeking extreme connections, as evidenced by an unsettling Reddit post. Discuss the stark differences between culture and cults, reflecting on Native American traditions. Hear frustrations about a recent film’s lack of originality and character depth, and examine the complexities of attachment in relationships, humorously juxtaposed with horror and sports betting.
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Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 2min

#143 House Made of Dawn - N. Scott Momaday (New Mexico)

About the Book:Published in 1968, House Made of Dawn is N. Scott Momaday’s landmark debut novel and a defining work of Native American literature. The story follows Abel, a young Native American man who returns to his reservation in New Mexico after serving in World War II. Struggling with alienation, dislocation, and the clash between traditional life and modern America, Abel’s journey is one of trauma, survival, and the search for identity.Told in shifting voices and lyrical prose, the novel weaves together Native storytelling traditions, modernist techniques, and spiritual imagery. Its exploration of cultural loss, resilience, and belonging earned widespread acclaim, and in 1969 House Made of Dawn won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It remains a foundational text in what came to be known as the Native American Renaissance in literature.About the Author:N. Scott Momaday was a Kiowa novelist, poet, essayist, and painter whose work profoundly shaped American literature. Born in 1934 in Lawton, Oklahoma, he grew up in both Native and Anglo-American worlds, an experience that deeply influenced his writing. His first novel, House Made of Dawn, established him as a major literary voice and became the first work by a Native American author to win the Pulitzer Prize.Momaday went on to write acclaimed works including The Way to Rainy Mountain (1969) and The Names: A Memoir (1976). His writing often blends myth, history, and personal narrative, honoring Native oral traditions while engaging with broader themes of memory, land, and identity. In 2007, he received the National Medal of Arts for his contributions to American letters. Momaday’s legacy endures as both a literary pioneer and a bridge between cultures. WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website
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Aug 20, 2025 • 15min

#142 People Can't Find Out About the Serial Killer in My Family

About the Book:Winner of the 1972 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Angle of Repose is a sweeping American saga that blends history, family drama, and the search for meaning. The novel follows retired historian Lyman Ward as he pieces together the life of his grandmother, Susan Burling Ward—a cultured artist and writer who left the East Coast in the late 19th century to follow her husband, a mining engineer, into the rugged, unsettled landscapes of the American West.As Lyman reconstructs their lives through letters and documents, he uncovers a marriage tested by hardship, ambition, and compromise. The story becomes as much about Lyman’s own reckoning—with his failed marriage, his estranged family, and his sense of purpose—as it is about the generations before him. With luminous prose and profound insight, Stegner examines how personal choices are shaped by time, place, and the slow erosion—or preservation—of dreams.About the Author:Wallace Stegner was an American novelist, historian, environmentalist, and teacher often called “the dean of Western writers.” Born in 1909 in Iowa and raised in Montana, Utah, and Saskatchewan, he drew on the landscapes and histories of the American West throughout his work. Over his career, he published more than thirty books, including The Big Rock Candy Mountain (1943), The Spectator Bird (1976), and Crossing to Safety (1987).A passionate advocate for land preservation, Stegner was instrumental in the establishment of the National Wilderness Preservation System. He taught at Stanford University for decades, mentoring a generation of writers. His fiction often explored the intersection of personal relationships, history, and the environment, earning him both critical acclaim and lasting influence. Stegner died in 1993, leaving behind a literary legacy rooted in the beauty, contradictions, and endurance of the West. WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website
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Aug 13, 2025 • 48min

#141 Angle of Repose - Wallace Stegner (Colorado)

About the Book:Winner of the 1972 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Angle of Repose is a sweeping American saga that blends history, family drama, and the search for meaning. The novel follows retired historian Lyman Ward as he pieces together the life of his grandmother, Susan Burling Ward—a cultured artist and writer who left the East Coast in the late 19th century to follow her husband, a mining engineer, into the rugged, unsettled landscapes of the American West.As Lyman reconstructs their lives through letters and documents, he uncovers a marriage tested by hardship, ambition, and compromise. The story becomes as much about Lyman’s own reckoning—with his failed marriage, his estranged family, and his sense of purpose—as it is about the generations before him. With luminous prose and profound insight, Stegner examines how personal choices are shaped by time, place, and the slow erosion—or preservation—of dreams.About the Author:Wallace Stegner was an American novelist, historian, environmentalist, and teacher often called “the dean of Western writers.” Born in 1909 in Iowa and raised in Montana, Utah, and Saskatchewan, he drew on the landscapes and histories of the American West throughout his work. Over his career, he published more than thirty books, including The Big Rock Candy Mountain (1943), The Spectator Bird (1976), and Crossing to Safety (1987).A passionate advocate for land preservation, Stegner was instrumental in the establishment of the National Wilderness Preservation System. He taught at Stanford University for decades, mentoring a generation of writers. His fiction often explored the intersection of personal relationships, history, and the environment, earning him both critical acclaim and lasting influence. Stegner died in 1993, leaving behind a literary legacy rooted in the beauty, contradictions, and endurance of the West. WebsiteTikTokInstagramYouTubeNewsletterJeremy's WebsiteDan's Website

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