Episode 12: Dealer’s Choice - Jim Shepard

Introducing "Dealer's Choice," an occasional series in which your Book XChange podcast hosts decide to feature a particular writer whose work we feel deserves in-depth discussion and recommendation. In the inaugural installment, we dive into the work of one of America's finest writers, Jim Shepard. "Who is Jim Shepard, and why should I be reading him?" is exactly what we aim to address, and we hope our listeners will trust us enough to listen in and find out. The brothers couldn't possibly recommend the novels, essays and especially the short stories of Mr. Shepard any higher. Tune in to this jam-packed episode as we unpack his work, discuss what makes it thrilling and unique, and examine why reading Shepard "makes you feel as if you're becoming a better human being."

BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:

What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:

'Nightmares and Dreamscapes,' Stephen King

(Future read withheld by request of the co-host!)

What John is currently reading/plans to read next:

'The Sisters Brothers,' Patrick deWitt

Works by Jim Shepard discussed in this episode:

'Like You'd Understand, Anyway' (stories)

'You Think That's Bad' (stories)

'Love and Hydrogen: New and Collected Stories'

'The World to Come' (stories)

'Paper Doll' (novel)

'Project X' (novel)

'You've Got to Read This: Contemporary American Writers Introduce Stories that Held Them in Awe' (edited by Ron Hansen and Jim Shepard)

Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:

Book-to-Film Adaptations