Books for Men
Episodes
#301 | 'The Bonfire of the Vanities' — Great Story, Flawed Writing (and Why It Doesn't Matter)
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this episode, we tackle Tom Wolfe’s massive 1987 blockbuster, The Bonfire of the Vanities. We look past the historical hype of this 700-page...
#300 | Hunter S Thompson on Meaning, Purpose, and Goals
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this special 300th milestone episode, we dive deep into a legendary piece of correspondence from one of the most polarizing catalysts in liter...
#299 | Blind 'Suspicion' — Why Truth Is More Than a Whodunit
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this episode, I’m featuring a short piece of translated Japanese crime fiction titled Suspicion by Seicho Matsumoto. We are stripping away t...
#298 | Reading Books Builds What the Internet Can’t — 9 Super Soft Skills
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In a world of algorithmic rot and digital noise, reading isn't just a hobby—it’s a necessary antidote for your mind. In this first official O...
#297 | Why Facts Don’t Matter: Tim O’Brien’s ‘The Things They Carried’ and the Truth About Storytelling
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this episode, I dive into Tim O’Brien’s 1990 masterpiece, The Things They Carried. We’re stripping away the fluff to look at the "invisi...
#296 | Great Literary Quotes #4: Charles Bukowski on Truth, Lying, and Fools
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this episode, I revisit a powerful moment from Charles Bukowski’s semi-autobiographical masterpiece, Ham on Rye. We’re stripping away the ...
#295 | What Can Men Learn from Elena Ferrante’s ‘Brilliant’, Visceral Portrait of a Lifelong Female Friendship?
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses Elena Ferrante's literary fiction novel “My Brilliant Friend”, the first book in the Neapolitan Quartet. Set in 1...
#294 | Special Edition: 7 Reasons I Hated ‘That’ Book—A Harsh, Honest Critique on Why I Stopped Reading ‘That’ Book
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this Special Edition episode, Douglas Vigliotti candidly discusses a book he strongly disliked, sharing seven reasons he abandoned it halfway ...
#293 | How Savage and Noble is Bab Dionne’s Death in ‘The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne’?—I Don’t Know, But Here’s Why I Liked It
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti delves into Ron Currie’s 2025 crime novel, “The Savage Noble Death of Babs Dionne”. Vigliotti explores Currie’s literar...
#292 | Great Literary Quotes #3: Larry McMurtry on Courage, Fear, and Confidence
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores a powerful quote from Larry McMurtry’s epic Western “Lonesome Dove” from episode #264, highlighting the importan...
#291 | Can Percival Everett's Literary Thriller Retelling of 'Huck Finn' Alter Your Perspective on American History, Freedom, and Identity?
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses "James" by Percival Everett, a 2024 literary novel that retells "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from Jim’s perspec...
#290 | Great Literary Quotes #2: Nora Ephron on Gratitude, Humor, and Dying
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti revisits Nora Ephron’s “I Remember Nothing” from episode 162, focusing on her poignant final entry, “What I Will Miss”...
#289 | Why Franz Kafka’s ‘The Metamorphosis’ Has Stood the Test of Time—Is It a Perfect Metaphor for the Human Condition?
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti reviews Franz Kafka’s classic novella "The Metamorphosis," a pillar in the literary canon, exploring its themes of alienation...
#288 | Special Edition: The Hinge Experiment—What a Year on Hinge Revealed About Modern Dating
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti shares “The Hinge Experiment,” a personal reflection Op-ed on his year using the dating app Hinge in New York City. He disc...
#287 | How David Szalay’s ‘Flesh’ Challenges Men to Confront Their Emotional Realities Before They Are Destroyed by Them
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses “Flesh” by David Szalay, a Booker Prize-winning novel published in 2025. Vigliotti explores Szalay’s minimalist...
#286 | Great Literary Quotes #1: Nami Mun on Grief, Love, and Jealousy
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti introduces a new segment, "Great Literary Quotes," highlighting memorable passages from previously featured books. He spotlight...
#285 | Is the Novella ‘Train Dreams’ Better than Its Movie Adaptation?—A Beautiful and Brutal Depiction of How Time Washes Away Everything
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti launches the first 2026 edition of "Novel vs Movie" by comparing Denis Johnson’s novella "Train Dreams" with its 2025 film ad...
#284 | Sh*t I Tell My Friends #3: On the Difference Maker (a.k.a. Follow Your Interest)
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores the idea of following your interests instead of chasing passion, calling it the “difference maker.” He explains ho...
#283 | The Lie of ‘Perfection’—Vincenzo Latronico on the Inescapable Feeling of Discontent in a Social Media World
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses “Perfection” by Vincenzo Latronico, a literary novel about a millennial couple navigating modern life as digital ...
#282 | Sh*t I Tell My Friends #2: On What Matters (a.k.a. Shut Up and Do Something)
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti shares personal reflections on the theme "What Matters," urging listeners to prioritize action over endless thinking or talking...
#281 | What Is the Cost of Comfort?—Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ on the Dangers of Endless Technological Progress
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses Aldous Huxley’s classic novel “Brave New World”. He provides background on Huxley, summarizes the novel’s plo...
#280 | Sh*t I Tell My Friends #1: On Advice (a.k.a. Stop Listening to Idiots)
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In the inaugural episode of "Sh*t I Tell My Friends", Douglas Vigliotti introduces a candid advice format inspired by real conversations with fri...
#279 | ‘Motherless Brooklyn’, a Truly Inventive Crime Novel—and Why You Should Never Underestimate Anyone
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti kicks off 2026 by spotlighting Jonathan Lethem’s crime novel "Motherless Brooklyn." Vigliotti explores Lethem’s genre-blend...
#278 | Special Edition: “One Plus One Doesn’t Equal Two” (+ Big Updates for 2026)
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this special year-end episode of "Books for Men," host Douglas Vigliotti shares his pop-up piece "One Plus One Doesn’t Equal Two" and reflec...
#277 | Arduous, Repetitive, Digressive, and Insanely Long—But Why Should You Read ‘Infinite Jest’ by David Foster Wallace?
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti offers an in-depth review of David Foster Wallace’s novel "Infinite Jest,” discussing the book’s complex structure, dispa...
#276 | Should the Life of an Artist Impact What You Think of Their Art?—Woody Allen’s Memoir Shines Light on This
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses Woody Allen’s memoir, “Apropos of Nothing,” exploring Allen’s prolific filmmaking career, signature style, an...
#275 | What Does the Classic Literary Novel ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ Have in Common with Rock and Roll Legend Bruce Springsteen?
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores Jonathan Swift’s classic "Gulliver’s Travels." He discusses Swift’s background, his mastery of satire, and the n...
#274 | Juilliard Dropout to Jazz Legend: What Miles Davis Teaches Men (and Women) About Tenacity, Creativity, and Life
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti reviews “Miles”, the autobiography of jazz legend Miles Davis. Vigliotti explores Davis’s life, musical legacy, and influ...
#273 | Is ‘Get Shorty’ Better as a Novel or Movie?—Elmore Leonard’s Crime Satire on Hollywood, Filmmaking, and (Con) Artistry
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti compares Elmore Leonard’s novel “Get Shorty” with its film adaptation directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and written by Scott F...
#272 | Is It Possible to Have a Meaningful Conversation About a Book You Haven’t Read?
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into Pierre Bayard’s book "How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read." Vigliotti explores Bayard’s key ideas, such a...
#271 | What Can Raymond Carver Teach Us About Love—and Writing?
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses Raymond Carver’s acclaimed short story collection, “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”. Vigliotti expl...
#270 | What Makes Phil Mickelson One of Golf's Most Complex Figures?—The Only Golfer Who Can Make a 40-Foot Putt and a Meltdown Look Good!
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti reviews “Phil” by Alan Shipnuck, an unauthorized biography of golfer Phil Mickelson. Vigliotti explores Mickelson’s caree...
#269 | Is ‘The 25th Hour’ Better as a Novel or Movie? A Truly Great New York City Story and One-Two Combo of Book and Film—David Benioff & Spike Lee
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti compares David Benioff’s novel "The 25th Hour" with its film adaptation directed by Spike Lee for another edition of “Novel...
#268 | ‘Ghosts of Hiroshima’ Brings History to Life via First-Hand Accounts of the Atomic Bomb—A Call for Empathy and Understanding for All Men (and Women)
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses “Ghosts of Hiroshima” by Charles Pellegrino, a nonfiction book blending science, history, and personal stories ab...
#267 | Sylvia Plath’s Classic Novel 'The Bell Jar' Does What ONLY Literature Can Do—Yes, Shots Fired!
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores Sylvia Plath’s novel "The Bell Jar,” discussing the book’s publication history, Plath’s life, the novel’s se...
#266 | Hands Down, the Cheesiest Self-Help Book I’ve Ever Shared on the Podcast—So Why Am I Sharing It?
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti spotlights Darren Hardy’s “The Compound Effect”, a self-help book about the transformative power of small, consistent cho...
#265 | Is ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ Better on the Stage or Screen?—David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-Winning Masterpiece on Greed, Morality, and What We Do to Each Other to Get Ahead
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this slight tweak on “Novel vs Movie,” Douglas Vigliotti explores David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross”, comparing its original play, ...
#264 | On Why ‘Lonesome Dove’ Is the Definitive Novel for Every Man—Timeless Themes of Adventure, Loss, Love, Loyalty, Sacrifice, Shame, Guilt, and Friendship
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti offers an in-depth yet concise review of Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove,” discussing the novel’s plot, major themes of...
#263 | How Can a Book on Acting Help You Live a More Fulfilling Life?—Stanislavski’s ‘An Actor Prepares’ Will Show You
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into “An Actor Prepares” by Constantin Stanislavski, discussing Stanislavski’s lasting influence on acting, especia...
#262 | What Makes Stephen King’s Horror Classic 'Carrie' Instantly Relatable for All of Us?
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores the horror genre for the first time by discussing Stephen King’s debut novel, “Carrie”. Vigliotti provides backg...
#261 | Why Did Benjamin Franklin Sit Naked Outside? The Surprising 'Daily Rituals' and Habits of History’s Most Famous Artists, Scientists, and Thinkers
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores Mason Currey’s “Daily Rituals: How Artists Work”. He discusses Currey’s background, the book’s structure—1...
#260 | Special Edition: What Is a Birthday, Anyway?—And the Societal Pressure to Feel 'Not Enough"
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this Special Edition episode of the "Books for Men” podcast, host Douglas Vigliotti shares his pop-up essay, “What is a Birthday Anyway?”...
#259 | Why Every Man Should Experience the Beauty of Haruki Murakami’s 1987 Coming of Age Novel ‘Norwegian Wood’ At Least Once
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into Haruki Murakami’s acclaimed coming-of-age novel Norwegian Wood. Vigliotti offers a compelling introduction to the ...
#258 | Fear and Loathing in 2025: Why Does Hunter S Thompson’s Scathing Account of American Politics Still Matter Today?
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores Hunter S. Thompson’s "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72," spotlighting Thompson’s groundbreaking gonzo...
#257 | What Is the Timeless Lesson in Hemingway’s Pulitzer and Nobel Prize Winning Novella, ‘The Old Man and the Sea’?
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses Ernest Hemingway’s classic novella, “The Old Man and the Sea”. He explores Hemingway’s life, literary influen...
#256 | Special Edition: Happy 3rd Anniversary, Books for Men—Some Fun Stats and Favorites From the Past 3 Years!
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this Special Edition episode of the "Books for Men” podcast, host Douglas Vigliotti celebrates the podcast’s third anniversary and reflect...
#255 | Another Celebrity Memoir? I Know, But It’s Al Pacino—The Godfather, Scarface, Scent of a Woman, Heat—Al Pacino!
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti examines Al Pacino’s 2024 memoir "Sonny Boy." Douglas discusses Pacino’s life, career, and the personal insights revealed i...
#254 | Dorian Gray: The Original Influencer Who Sold His Soul for Likes—Is Oscar Wilde’s Classic Novel a Cautionary Tale for the Social Media Age?
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores Oscar Wilde’s classic novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray." He discusses Wilde’s life, literary significance, and th...
#253 | In Honor of Brian Wilson: 5 Quotes on the Power of Songs, Sharing, and Intuition from the Musical Genius Behind the Beach Boys—My First Concert Ever!
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti pays tribute to the late Brian Wilson by discussing his memoir, "I Am Brian Wilson." Douglas explores Wilson’s influence as a...
#252 | From the Vault: Morning After #7 – A Letter to Love—Personal Growth, Change, and the Impact of Literature on Love
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this special 'From the Vault' episode, Douglas Vigliotti invites you on a journey of personal growth and personal change through his reflectiv...
#251 | Why Hattie Williams Debut Novel ‘Bitter Sweet’ Is Proof Men Should Read More Women’s Fiction
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into Hattie Williams’ debut novel, "Bitter Sweet," ahead of its July 2025 release. Douglas unpacks the story of Charlie...
#250 | Phil Stutz’s Three Absolutes of Human Life: Unlocking Personal Growth with ‘True and False Magic'
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Discover the keys to personal growth in this episode as Douglas Vigliotti unpacks Phil Stutz’s transformative book, 'True and False Magic.' Div...
#249 | How All Men Can Relate to the Journey of Identity and Growth in ‘We the Animals’
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores "We the Animals" by Justin Torres, a coming-of-age novel that tackles the intricate themes of family, identity, and pe...
#248 | We’re All a Bit Irrational—12 Reasons Why from Daniel Kahneman’s Groundbreaking Book ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow'
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti delves into Daniel Kahneman's influential nonfiction book, "Thinking, Fast and Slow." Vigliotti outlines Kahneman's background ...
#247 | Special Edition: How I Curate 'Books for Men' and What I Read More Broadly
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this Special Edition episode, Douglas Vigliotti unveils his book selection and curation process, sharing insights into his reading habits, the...
#246 | What Is the Core Tension in Leo Tolstoy’s Classic Russian Novel ‘Anna Karenina’?—and Why It Matters Today for Modern Men
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives deep into Leo Tolstoy's timeless masterpiece, "Anna Karenina." Discover why Tolstoy stands as a giant in Russian literatu...
#245 | Are You a ‘True Believer’? Eric Hoffer’s Provocative Take on the Nature of Mass Movements—Extremism, Fanaticism, and Collective Unity
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores Eric Hoffer's thought-provoking nonfiction book, "The True Believer." Uncover the secrets of extremism, fanaticism, an...
#244 | Coming-of-Age Mixed with Gritty Crime Fiction—Yes, Please—And Why Foreign Novels Can Be a Breath of Fresh Air
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the gripping world of Nicolas Ferraro's foreign crime novel, "My Favorite Scar." Originally published in 2021 and ma...
#243 | Special Edition: 10 Random Quotes That Will Inspire You to Create Boldly
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this Special Edition episode, Douglas Vigliotti shares "10 Random Quotes That Will Inspire You to Create Boldly” from influential artists an...
#242 | ‘Letters of Note’—This Blog Turned Book Will Be One of the Coolest Additions to Your Bookshelf or Library
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti delves into the nonfiction anthology "Letters of Note: Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience," compiled by Sean Usher. V...
#241 | What Makes 'The God of the Woods' a Must-Read Literary Mystery?
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores Liz Moore's crime novel, "The God of the Woods." Vigliotti provides an overview of the book's plot, which centers on t...
#240 | Pleasure to Pain: The Dark Side of Dopamine and How to Improve Your Mental Health—Break Free from Bad Habits with This 8-Step Process
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses "Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence" by Dr. Anna Lembke, unraveling the intricate ties between...
#239 | Is ‘American Psycho’ a Better Novel or Movie? Don’t Miss the Point of This Edgy Bret Easton Ellis Satire, or Christian Bale’s Brilliant Patrick Bateman!
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti delves into Bret Easton Ellis's novel "American Psycho" and its film adaptation by Mary Harron for another edition of “Novel ...
#238 | Go Behind the Scenes with Picasso, Hemingway, and Early 20th Century Paris in Gertrude Stein’s Unusual Autobiography from Her Partner's Eyes
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses Gertrude Stein's "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas,” highlighting Stein's life, her literary contributions, and...
#237 | Why ‘Last Exit to Brooklyn’ Might Be the Most Unflinching Portrait (Ever) of Lower-Class Life in Literature
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti delves into Hubert Selby Jr.'s "Last Exit to Brooklyn," a transgressive novel from 1964, discussing the book's raw portrayal of...
#236 | ‘Poor Charlie’s Almanack’: Life Advice Actually Worth Listening To—7 Charlie Munger Quotes and More!
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the witty enlightening book "Poor Charlie's Almanack" by Charles T. Munger, who some consider the modern-day equivale...
#235 | What Can John Fante’s ‘Ask the Dust’ Teach Us About Love, Loss, and Life’s Purpose?
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the timeless allure of John Fante's 1939 classic, "Ask the Dust." He unpacks the novel's profound themes of loss, lo...
#234 | Is ’One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ a Better Novel or Movie? Ken Kesey vs. Milos Forman, Randle McMurphy vs. Nurse Ratched, and More!
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores the differences between Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and its film adaptation by Milos Forman, as part...
#233 | Morning, Boys. How’s the Water?—The Life-Changing Importance of David Foster Wallace’s 2005 Commencement Speech ‘This Is Water’
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores David Foster Wallace's non-fiction work "This Is Water," originally a 2005 commencement speech at Kenyon College. Vigl...
#232 | From the Vault: A Chat with Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation, on the Power of Transcendental Meditation
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this episode of "From the Vault", host Douglas Vigliotti reshares a conversation from his previous podcast “It’s Not What It Seems" with B...
#231 | In Honor of David Lynch: 9 Quotes from ‘Catching the Big Fish’ on Creativity, Consciousness, and Meditation
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In the wake of David Lynch’s recent passing, Douglas Vigliotti delves into the iconic filmmaker’s nonfiction book "Catching the Big Fish,” ...
#230 | Is ’No Country for Old Men’ a Better Novel or Movie? Cormac McCarthy’s Masterpiece vs. The Coen Brothers Oscar-Winning Adaptation
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti introduces the new segment "Novel vs. Movie," focusing on the violent world of Cormac McCarthy's "No Country for Old Men" and i...
#229 | When I Think of a ‘Thriller’ Novel This Is What I Think Of
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the thriller novel "Tell No One” by Harlan Coben, where a doctor's world is upended by an email hinting that his mu...
#228 | Meth and Mayhem: How Rampant Drug Usage Influenced Hitler, Nazi Germany, and World War II
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores "Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich” by Norman Ohler, a history book that reads like a novel and offers a unique and ...
#227 | This Short Novel Will Change the Way You Look At the 'World'
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti takes you on a journey through Samantha Harvey's 2023 novel "Orbital," a thought-provoking piece of literary fiction and a love...
#226 | 12 Great Quotes from 2024 + What to Expect in 2025
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In this year-end episode, Douglas Vigliotti reflects on 12 notable quotes from various books throughout 2024, sharing one for each month. He anno...
#225 | Tragedy or Comedy? The Life and Legacy of the Beloved Comedian Chris Farley
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the emotional and powerful biography "The Chris Farley Show" by Tom Farley Jr and Tanner Colby, providing insights in...
#224 | ‘Reasons to Live’—Why What Isn’t There Is Just as Important as What Is
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores the powerful short story collection “Reasons to Live” by Amy Hempel, highlighting her masterful use of minimalism ...
#223 | What’s Your Origin Story? In This Book, Successful Writers, Novelists, and Musicians Share Theirs!
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the fun book “Write About Now” by Jonathan Small. It is a captivating collection of interview excerpts from the a...
#222 | Does ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ Still Speak to Modern Youth? Maybe More than Ever.
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the classic coming-of-age novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, exploring the iconic character of Hol...
#221 | Aristotle for Novelists (Part 4 of 4)—Principles #13, #14, and the 15th Principle
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In part four, Douglas Vigliotti closes out the series by outlining the final three Principles #13, #14, and the 15th Principle from his new book,...
#220 | Aristotle for Novelists (Part 3 of 4)—Principles #9, #10, #11, and #12
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In part three, Douglas Vigliotti continues the four-part series by overviewing Principles #9, #10, #11, and #12 from his new book, "Aristotle for...
#219 | Aristotle for Novelists (Part 2 of 4)—Principles #5, #6, #7, and #8
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In part two, Douglas Vigliotti provides an overview of Principles #5, #6, #7, and #8 from his new book, "Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Pri...
#218 | Aristotle for Novelists (Part 1 of 4)—Principles #1, #2, #3, and #4
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 In part one, Douglas Vigliotti discusses the first four principles from his new book, "Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art...
#217 | October 2024 Recap: A Literary Classic, How to ‘Act’, and Japanese Noir
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti recaps the month of October 2024, discussing the classic literary novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the pragmati...
#216 | Fuminori Nakamura: Subtle, Dark, Complex—Maybe the Most Underrated Author in America
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores “The Rope Artist” by Fuminori Nakamura, an acclaimed Japanese author whose noir-tinged literary fiction delves int...
#215 | We’re All Actors, No?—17 David Mamet Quotes That Will Make You Question Your ‘Role’ in Life
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the pragmatic acting guide “True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor” by David Mamet, sharing 17 es...
#214 | What Makes 'The Great Gatsby' the Great American Novel?
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the acclaimed classic “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a story of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and his purs...
#213 | September 2024 Recap: Novel to Film Adaptations, Ancient Japanese Literature, and a Memoir on the Meaning of Life
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti recaps the month of September 2024, discussing the emotional crime novel "Mystic River" by Dennis Lehane, the philosophical wor...
#212 | The Limits of Science in Grasping the Human Condition—a Young Doctor on Facing His Own Mortality
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the thought-provoking memoir “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who powerfully explores ...
#211 | From Page to Screen: How ‘Fight Club’ Pushed the Boundaries of Storytelling and Why It Endures
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the cult classic "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk, a transgressive, minimalistic literary novel that inspired the now...
#210 | Life Lessons from a Japanese Samurai Who Never Lost a Duel in over 60 Battles
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores the powerful wisdom of legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi in “The Book of Five Rings," a philosophical work on comba...
#209 | Mystic River: Why This Dennis Lehane Classic Deserves a Spot on Your Reading List
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the gritty, emotional world of “Mystic River” by Dennis Lehane, a Boston crime novel about friendship, loyalty, ...
#208 | August 2024 Recap: Stoicism, Buddhism, and a Literary Novel for the Ages
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti recaps the month of August 2024, discussing the Stoic classic "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, the literary novel "A Visit fro...
#207 | From Suffering to Serenity: What Is Buddhism, Really? Philosophy or Religion?
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores the spiritual and philosophical work, "The Dhammapada," translated by Eknath Easwaran. He delves into the core teachin...
#206 | Time’s a Goon, Right?—Jennifer Egan Explores Impermanence and the Passing of Time in Her 2011 Masterpiece
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "A Visit from the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Egan. Through 13 interconnected stories (m...
#205 | Exploring Stoicism: The 3 Pillars of Stoic Philosophy That Underpin Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations”
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the timeless wisdom of "Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius. With a focus on the core tenets of his philosophy and Sto...
#204 | July 2024 Recap: Autofiction, Literary Fiction, a Bestselling Memoir, and the Case for Reading Books
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti recaps the month of July 2024, discussing the memoir "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion, the novels "Be Brief and Te...
#203 | The Secret History: Donna Tartt’s Gripping Debut Novel of Beauty, Deceit, and Tragedy
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti delves into the captivating world of "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt. He explores the book's mysterious and suspenseful nar...
#202 | Special Edition: Audiobooks vs Books (Or, 7 Reasons Why Listening is Not Reading)
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎙 Douglas Vigliotti delves into the modern debate of listening to audiobooks versus reading books. With seven compelling reasons why listening is n...