Bookends With Friends

Episode 133: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to another book episode! This week we cover The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo; full of magic, a contest of champions and a sexy familiar. Fol...

Episode 132: Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the bookends bookshop! We record once-ish a month over here in this corner, our shelves are stocked with mostly fantasy fiction, and we hav...

Episode 131: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We promise that we are still a podcast and will someday get back on a normal bi-weekly schedule! But for now we recording on a when-we-can basis. Good...

Episode 130: Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Strap in for an Absolute All Timer. We sit down and discuss the violent Hard Action Sport of Chain Gang. Adjei-Brenyah packs a ton of content in this ...

Episode 129: Argylle by Elly Conway(?)

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's book week!! And we have brought you the curious case of a mystery author and the hollywood blockbuster they are hoping for. Argylle is a spy thri...

Episode 128: Bookends With Friends Book of The Year 2023

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Another year another BWFBOTY! Join us as we discuss the books from 2023 and decide an ultimate winner to take the crown.    January's book pick is A...

Episode 127: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year!! We are so far behind! We hope you have had a happy holiday season and are ready for a book episode! We are discussing the highly accl...

Episode 126: Did Not Finish (DNF)

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We did an Oopsie! But it's an oopsie we can all learn from! We have unfortunately decided to DNF our December book, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. We tak...

Episode 125: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Holidays!! We are minus 1 on today's episode because Dan is busy being a brand new dad!! And it's a book week! But don't worry, we have a new se...

Episode 124: JeBOOKardy

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to JeBOOKardy hosted by Brett Jennings. Get your buzzers ready as Parker and Dan are thrown into the Jeopardy gauntlet to try to pay off their...

Episode 123: The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Halloween!!! We hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween night, but don't forget to go to the store tomorrow and buy a ton of 99% off candy. G...

Episode 122: October Boo-nus

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Not That Main Character!! The game that pits two loving friends against each other under the watchful eyed tyrant, Parker Moon. How ma...

Episode 121: Books3, The New Books2

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've got an everything episode for you this week! We talk about Spooky Lake Month, some of our favorite upcoming books and how AI is trying to take o...

Episode 120: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us this week for an intense deep dive into one of the most harrowing stories in Native American/American history. The Osage Nation became the per...

Episode 119: Bookly Feud™™™

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the first episode of Family Feud's newest spinoff, Parker and Brett duel it out on stage to see who knows books best. Or at least who knows what ra...

Episode 118: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ahoy! Set sail with us this episode as we discuss The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty! Join along as we talk about our beloved na...

Episode 117: The Stinky Cheese Man

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One, two, The Stinky Cheese Man is coming for you//three, four, better lock your door//five, six, grab your crucifix//seven, eight, gonna stay up late...

Episode 116: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

EAST? I thought you said WEAST! In this episode the boys talk about East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Listen along to see if we say anything of substanc...

Episode 115: The Outsiders Reading is Why Reading Good

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Class is in session! Dan will now be doing a live performance piece of any and all books you can find in the library. We hope that never stops, but if...

Episode 114: Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us this week as we discuss Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune! Find your comfiest corner at Charon's Crossing amongst the living and the dead ...

Episode 113: The Votes Are In...

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

...so I won't keep you waiting. We're announcing our book picks for the rest of 2023!! And we have a few other super exciting announcements too! All g...

Episode 112: The Polls Are Open

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Polls are open! Make sure to vote on which books you would like us to read for the rest of 2023! On this episode we each put forward two candidate...

Episode 111: Speed Readcer

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hey, what's your EWPM? Wait....you don't know what that stands for???? Well neither did we! Not until Professor Parker stepped into class, wrote his n...

Episode 110: Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The last of humanity adrift in space?! Spiders civilizations rising up on a new planet?! This episode of the podcast is going to be a wild ride! Join ...

Episode 109: Goodreads Re-Boos

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are no Legend of Zelda spoilers in this episode. That being said, we do talk about it too much probably. But after that, we bring you another ed...

Episode 108: Ketchup with the News

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Extra Extra! Read all about it! From tales of Brett's immense bravery to Daniel's Swiftie adventures, we bring you all the latest in book news and sto...

Episode 107: If You Can Get With This, You Can Get With That

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome, welcome, welcome! Join us here in the conference room at your beach vacation getaway of choice for a timeshare-esque presentation on book pai...

Episode 106: Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a Book Episode! Join us as we discuss the Sword of Kaigen by ML Wang. This Action packed fantasy is full of beautiful moments of tragedy and triu...

Episode 105: The History Of....

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

...BOOKS!! Join us us for the debut of a new segment where we discuss the history of book related subjects! Don't fall asleep just yet. It's a work in...

Episode 104: Who Wants To Be A Bookillionaire

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for our first edition of the Goodest Goodreads Good Reader, Who Wants To Be A Bookillionaire! Please welcome Jacob, artist of our wonderful in...

Episode 103: Not! The! Main! Character! *audience applause*

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ya know what they say...when Parker's away, the game show host comes out to play. People do say that right?? I'm sure its happened before. Welcome to ...

Episode 102: Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a book Episode! Join us this week to listen to our thoughts on Catch Me If You Can (not the most glowing of reviews) Parker has given the stamp o...

Episode 101: Water-Cooler Catch-Up

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're back! And better than ever(??)! Join us for a quick minisode where we discuss our current reads, what we've been up to over the past couple week...

Episode 100.5: Interlude

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Helloooooo! It's your resident Brett with a quick little mini update that doesn't really have any updates! Parker and Dan are in the next room and I d...

Episode 100: The Resident Smut Consultant

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone please give a warm welcome to Nicole Phillips, our first guest of 2023! Nicole is our local Acotar Expert and Goodreads 1 Star Extraordinaire...

Episode 99 - Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray (is SO GOOD!)

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded a couple of days ago on a podcast far far down the itunes charts, we discussed Claudia Gray's SW novel Lost Stars! Maybe one of our best book...

Episode 98: Science Kicks History’s Ass

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Due to Technical Difficulties previous audio has been lost to the new Dark matter Black Hole... Top Ramen or Maruchan? History or Science? Can you nam...

Episode 97: Reviews Clues

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to a familiar game with a new name! Its Reviews Clues! Ya know like blue clues but with books and no steve. We have each brought a mix of...

Episode 96: Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us this week for an adventure to a flat world on the backs of 4 elephants, which are on the back of a giant turtle....that's right! We're explori...

Episode 95: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hello hello hello and welcome welcome welcome to our January book episode! We're going back in time to the early days of the gaming industry to follow...

Episode 94: We Bought a Bookshop ft. Matt Damon

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did we get beloved actor Matt Damon on our podcast? No. Does the episode have anything to do with him? Not really. Join us for a chaotic episode where...

Episode 93: The 2023 BWF Book Guide

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We love books! YOU love books! This episode is about BOOKS! Specific to 2023*. On this episode we are previewing some of our most anticipated reads of...

Episode 92: 2023 Books of the Month Reveal

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hello lovely listeners and avid book readers. Bookends with Friends is BACK and excited to kickoff a new year of this audio book-club. We have new ide...

Episode 91: New Year, New Books!

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year everyone! We're back from the long holiday break to bring you our next book vote! January is already locked in, but it is up to you the...

Episode 90: The BWF BOTY 2022

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Its that time of year you have all been waiting for! Everyone's favorite season is here! After months of waiting, you wake up to find a new podcast ep...

Episode 89: Into the MultiVersus with Blake Crouch’s Dark Matter

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We have a very special episode that is brought to us by an alternate version of our podcast who revolutionized podcasting and reading stuff in general...

Episode 88: The Bookends End of the Book Year Book Review

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're closing in on the end of the year and before it's over we'd like to tell you about some of our favorite books and book moments of 2022! We kick ...

Episode 87: Jade City by Fonda Lee

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Throw on all your jade and head down to the Twice Lucky for our No Peak sponsored review of Fonda Lee's Jade City! We start off this month's book epis...

Episode 86: Art of the Pseudonym by Chantal Mayhemming

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you think of Pen Names you probably think of the greats, Mark Twain, The Bronte Sisters, or even Smiles Tanner. Join us this week as we discuss f...

Episode 85: NaNoWriMo

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to NaNoWriMo-vember! For those of you with a confused look your face, that's the National Novel Writing Month! We're here to celebrate a wonde...

Episode 84: RIP Artax

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Listen in this week as we discuss our favorite animal companions, dog suffrage and Mr. Tumnus! Who were your favorite furry friends growing up and do ...

Episode 83: ’Salem’s Lot - Maine’s Most Inviting Hometown

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Oh hey! Would you mind inviting our podcast into your phone....Why you say? No reason. Vampire podcast?!? Of course we're not! Damn, IT was worth a sh...

Episode 82: HP Lovecraft 101 With Professor Moon

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this edition of SpOoOky Bookends content Professor Moon walks us through the tragic life of HP Lovecraft though not as tragic as Brett's attempted ...

Episode 81: Crime Doesn’t Pay...It Writes

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

BOOkends With Friends floats (ya know like a ghost) on this week with some TRUE true crime stories involving those who generally just tell the story. ...

Episode 80: The Monster Mash

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join us this week as we pit the scariest literary monsters into a showdown of the ages. Who will rise as the victor? Creatures of the deep? Probing al...

Episode 79: Carrie Soto is BACK!

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

U.S. Open....Forehand....Backhand...Serve....Ball. These are tennis terms only TRUE fans will know. The best way to become a true fan, you ask? Read T...

Episode 78: Feat. Hank Green’s Best Friend, Zoranne

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join us in welcoming special guest Zoranne! Zoranne reviews Fantasy on her Tiktok and Instagram while also running the Fantasy and Frens Bookclub. Be ...

Episode 77: Grandpas & Elves & Con Crud, Oh My!

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hey there book friends! We have a bit of an update episode for you all this week! First, we update you on our lives and what we were up to over the lo...

Episode 76: He’s a ten but...

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"He's a 6 but he's on a really cool podcast..." Join us this week as we discuss Spaghetti Protagonists and Bookshelf Sleeping Hunks! Parker is moving ...

Episode 75: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's a book week AND it's been one of the best yet! The bell has wrung, we're seated at our desks with pen and paper and Bonnie Garmus is ready to sch...

Episode 74: Anex Wilson and Lord of the Rings

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anex Wilson joins us on a very special episode to discuss all things Lord of the Rings and the upcoming Rings of Power TV show. We talk through Orc lo...

Episode 73: Poetry In Motion...Sickness

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our crash course in poetry! We may not be laureates, but we have spirit and that's worth something, right? On this poetry for dummies episo...

Episode 72: Feat. Evan From Book Reviews Kill

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode we welcome a very special guest, Evan from his Podcast Book Reviews Kill! We interview Evan on his current reading list, his love f...

Episode 71: Booked for a Blind Date

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever been on a blind date? Did that blind date turn out to be a published novel? Happens to the best of us, amirite!? This week we are bringi...

Episode 70: Bullet Train

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

ALL ABOOOOOOARD. Welcome to Bullet Train, the high octane thriller following multiple assassins all with their own ulterior motives. Who will come out...

Episode 69: nICE

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 69 is a once in a podcast type of episode. Today, we try not to waste the opportunity. And we even have a fun surprise along the way! So join ...

Episode 68: Cougar Month and MIT

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Benvenuto! Parker is back from Italy which means we're back with another episode! Parker gives us the highlights of Italy while Dan is currently being...

Episode 67: Where The Crawdads Sing

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've arrived at another book week and this go-round Delia Owens has provided us with an instant classic! We are discussing her 2018 novel Where The C...

Episode 66: Bookle Royale

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode we discuss our book picks for the remaining months of 2022! Join us as we each share our 3 picks (Brett brought 4 because he ch...

Episode 65: Reese WitherNewFavoritePodcast

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all you Reese-heads out there tuning in for the first time! On this week's episode Daniel reintroduces us to...

Episode 64: The Mid Year Update

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Mid Year Update! We discuss our favorite books so far this year and how we are coming along with our yearly reading goals. We also disc...

Episode 63: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

PJ & the O's have arrived!! Summer is around the corner, so it's time for all you seasonal demi-gods to get ready for Camp Half-Blood! Join us by the ...

Episode 62: #1 New York Times Disputed Podcast

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone welcome back Professor Brett as he breaks down the inner workings of the New York Times Bestseller list! We cover how books are selected for ...

Episode 61: The Curious Case of Steven Rogers

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wanted to have a nice book discussion with Thanos and Bucky Barnes? Do you ever finish a really good book and think, "Wow, Iron Man woul...

Episode 60: Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Summer Camp Dances

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever faced the dilemma of trying to be inclusive, but also really wanting to gush about the new book you just finished? Have we got the episo...

Episode 59: POV You Have A Glizzy and Are Reading The Hunger Games

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I thought to myself, would life be better in the third person...? This week we go over different POVs in books! Professor Brett gives us the crash co...

Episode 58: The Cow Drop

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's our April book week! We're talking Neil Gaiman's American Gods this week and boy oh boy did a lot of it probably go over our heads. We kick off t...

Episode 57: JC’s Resurrection VS. Easter Bunny’s Plot Armor

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They're gone but not forgotten...and sometimes they're not even gone! This week we talk about character resurrections and plot armor. Brett has exciti...

Episode 56: The Da Vinci Chode

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get your stars and scorn ready because this week we're talking book reviews! Brett kicks us off with a fight through adversity to share his thoughts o...

Episode 55: Live from the Clownies in Forks, Indiana

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we go off book by starting with some Oscars drama and then lay the groundwork for our very own awards show. And even give away the first awa...

Episode 54: Michelle Zauner’s ”Crying in H Mart: A Memoir”

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode we are discussing March's book "Crying in H Mart: A Memoir" by Michelle Zauner. Michelle guides us through a time in her life w...

Episode 53: The One Where Parker Is Mean

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week the Bookends Boys discuss Carl Jung's 12 Literary Archetypes and choose which type fits each of us. Which one of us is actually the Everyman...

Episode 52: Jane Austen’s Dystopia

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

*movie trailer voice* In a world, where 3 dumb dumbs fight to survive....and podcast. We are those 3 idiots. This week we're talking everyone's favori...

Episode 51: Reboot, Remaster, Reread

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you read Holes by Louis Sachar every single St Patrick's Day? Do you occasionally get the hankerin' to whip out a Percy Jackson novel you've alread...

Episode 50: The Stormlight Archives Spectacular featuring @StormlightMemes

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Happy 50th episode! For our semicentennial episode we decided to go all out and have on an incredible creator, Stormlight enthusiast, and all around f...

Episode 49: Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How much can three grown men thirst over Adam Driver? Find out this week as we cover Ali Hazelwood's Love Hypothesis! We discuss our favorite moments ...

Episode 48: Till Narrative Do Us Part

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever loved a character so much that their death ripped a hole in your heart? Have you ever hated a character so much that their non-death for...

Episode 47: Reading Distractions and How to Help (Not Helpful)

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we round table some of our biggest distractions that keep us from reading while also offering little to no help to actually solve these prob...

Episode 46: Why Do Ban Book?

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's illegal episode we put on our sexy leather jackets and ride our communist motorcycles straight towards trouble. Daniel starts us off wi...

Episode 45: Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join us this week as we discuss The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah! The Nightingale follows the stories of two sisters living in Nazi occupied France a...

Episode 44: BWF & HBO present The Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Special

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with our new subsidiary, HBO, we are reviewing the recently premiered 20th anniversary reunion special for the Harry Potter movie franc...

Episode 43: Bookends with Friends - Chapter 2

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

First off, thank you to everyone that has listened to our little show. We've had a ton of fun doing this and just being able to talk about books with ...

EPISODE 42: Brian K. Vaughan‘s Paper Girls (illustrated by Cliff Chiang)

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we close out this year with a discussion of volumes 1 & 2 of Paper Girls! We review our favorite paper girl, where we think the plot will m...

Episode 41: Book of the Year

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we enter back into the battle dome for the Bookends with Friends Book of the Year! Our Champions: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing  Beach Re...

Episode 40: A Holiday Special

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Holidays!! On this week's merry episode we sled down bookmark hill on the first snow day of the season. Parker kicks it off by surprising the bo...

Episode 39: Taylor Jenkins Reid‘s Malibu Rising

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No invitation, no problem. Join us at Nina Riva's Mansion as we discuss Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid! Listen as we discuss our thoughts and ta...

Episode 38: Audiobooks & The Mattieverse of Madness

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have a guest! DanTwo is doing a podcast takeover! While DanOne is hitchhiking his way through Florida the legendary Mattie Moon(!) joined the pod t...

Episode 37: Bibliosmia

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's Episode of Bookends with Friends we discuss some of our favorite bookstore memories and the meaning of bibliosmia. Please bear with us ...

Episode 36: Harry Styles & Leicester City F.C. present Haunted Hydrology

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the pod! We've got another quick one for you all after a week full of fun and frights! On today's ep we give a quick review of the Hallowee...

Episode 35: Riley Sager‘s Home Before Dark

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us this week as we discuss the Mystery of Baneberry Hall in Riley Sager's Home Before Dark! Brett gives a two sentence horror, Parker describes h...