The Book XChange Podcast

Episode 41: WORLD WAR II

For episode 41 (commemorating, in part, the 80th anniversary of the United States' entry into the war in December 1941), the Book XChange brothers take on a subject that's as broad and wide-reaching as the conflict itself: World War II. As always, we aim here to provide some recommendations of books that aren't widely discussed and read, as well as cover some of the acknowledged classics. It's a huge subject and we did our best to cover a wide variety of titles that might speak to a broad expanse of interests. Thanks for listening!
MUSIC BY YOUNG WOLF, VOIDZ PANDA
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Interior States' Meghan O'Gieblyn -
TBD -
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Every Man Dies Alone,' Hans Fallada -
'Lemmy: White Line Fever,' by Lemmy Kilmister & Janiss Garza -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'Every Man Dies Alone,' Hans Fallada -
'Slaughterhouse Five,' - Kurt Vonnegut -
The short story "Telemachus," 'The Book of Aron,' and 'Paper Doll,' Jim Shepard -
'Battle Cry' and 'Mila-18,' Leon Uris -
'The Eagle Has Landed,' Jack Higgins -
'Priestblock 25487,' Jean Bernard -
'Advent of the Heart,' Fr. Alfred Delp -
'Suite Francaise,' Irene Nemirovsky -
'Manhattan Beach,' Jennifer Egan -
'Symphony for the City of the Dead,' Matthew Tobin Anderson -
'Hiroshima,' John Hersey -
'The Sea and Poison,' Shusaku Endo -
'Band of Brothers,' Stephen E. Ambrose -
'Memoirs of the Second World War,' Sir Winston Churchill -
'The Moon is Down,' John Steinbeck -
'The Naked and the Dead,' Norman Mailer -
'The Thin Red Line,' James Jones -
'Truman,' David McCullough -
'The Good War: An Oral History of World War II,' Studs Terkel -
'The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich,' William L. Shirer -
'Byline: Ernest Hemingway,' Ernest Hemingway -
'The End of the Affair,' Graham Greene -
'General of the Army,' Ed Cray -
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
Episode 42 will feature Jude and John's Top 10 Books of 2021 - not necessarily books released in that year, but the ten reads that impacted and impressed us the most. We'll go through our individual lists and discuss why these titles stood out for us. What were your favorite reads in this past year?? Be sure to let us know at bookxchangetwins@gmail.com.

(SPECIAL) Episode 40: TIME O’CLOCK - Interview with writer Jude Joseph Lovell

Calling all adventurous and open minded readers - join us for a special episode of the BXC podcast, in which we turn the lens on ourselves a bit and interview one-half of your favorite literary-minded twins. Jude Joseph Lovell (or is it Foster Mullins?), co-host of this show and author of 12 books, has just launched a brand new mind-bending, time-twisting mystery tale named TIME O'CLOCK, and we have an exclusive interview all about it right here. It's a two-part discussion, with part 1 discussing the book and its influences (including a reading from the author) but not giving any plot points away... and part 2 diving more into "spoilers" and unpacking the many layers of this wild, fun literary puzzle. We had a fascinating discussion touching on detective fiction, cop shows, "breaking the fourth wall," horror fiction, stories-within-stories, surreal art, talking dogs and the challenge of writing memorable, entertaining fiction. There's something for everybody in this strange concoction of an episode, folks - so we urge you to dive in, support independent fiction writing and listen/download wherever your find your podcasts!
**TIME O'CLOCK (by Foster Mullins) is available for purchase right now on Amazon, please give it a look!!**
*ALL MUSIC THIS EPISODE BY VOIDZ PANDA
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
'In the Spirit of Ronald E. McNair, Astronaut - An American Hero,' Carl McNair with H. Michael Brewer -
' of a Book,' Jason Mott -
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Band of Brothers,' Stephen E. Ambrose -
'The Seventh Cross,' Anna Seghers -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'Time O'Clock' by Foster Mullins
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
Episode 41 will hearken back to the year 1941 - while paying late tribute to our nation's Veterans - and feature some of our favorite and most recommended books having to do with "The Big One," World War II.

Episode 39: Criminal Minds

McGruff the Crime Dog guests hosts in Episode 39 of the Book XCh... well OK, maybe not (and yes, we just dated ourselves - but those who know, know!). This time out, your humble hosts/book-hungry twins take a bite out of the vast buffet of books that explore crime, both real and imagined. We delve into classic mysteries, true crime reportage, historical novels with unexplained murders at their center, pulp detective fiction, harrowing accounts of real-life urban crime, and some of the most heinous and traumatic events in American history (think JFK, Watergate and 9/11). Together, Jude and John dare to delve into the criminal mind and discuss just what it is that makes reading about the dark side of humanity so unnervingly, but undeniably, compelling. (And don't miss a very special and FUN interview coming up in a few weeks, for Episode 40!!) Thanks for listening everyone.
MUSIC BY YOUNG WOLF, VOIDZ PANDA
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
'The Songlines,' Bruce Chatwin -
'Billy Summers,' Stephen King -
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Foundation,' Isaac Asimov -
'The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories, Vol. 1,' Ed. by James D. Jenkins & Ryan Cagle
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
THE FACTORY SERIES by Derek Raymond (He Died with His Eyes Open, The Devil's Home on Leave, How the Dead Live, I Was Dora Suarez, Dead Man Upright) -
'The Name of the Rose,' - Umberto Eco -
'An Instance of the Fingerpost,' Iain Pears -
The crime fiction of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and P. D. James -
'In Cold Blood,' Truman Capote -
'Murders in the Rue Morgue (story),' Edgar Allen Poe -
'The Gangs of New York,' Herbert Asbury -
'The Lighthouse,' P. D. James -
'Classic Crimes,' William Roughead -
'2666,' Robert Bolaño -
'All the President's Men,' - Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein -
'Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK,' Gerald Posner -
'Oswald's Tale,' Norman Mailer -
'The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11,' Lawrence Wright -
'Killers of the Flower Moon,' David Grann -
'Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic,' - Sam Quinones -
'Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,' David Simon -
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
Episode 40 will be a BXC SPECIAL - an interview with our very own Jude Joseph Lovell, about his brand new time-twisting, mind-bending, noirish mystery thriller 'Time O'Clock.' (Available for order now on Amazon) We will discuss the book, the influences that went into writing it, and the delights of twisty, dream-like, rule-breaking fiction.

Episode 38: The BXC Review of ”Leave the World Behind” by Rumaan Alam

For the fifth time, the Book XChange podcast dedicates an entire episode to discuss a single book - in this case, one recommended to us by a BXC listener. 'Leave the World Behind' is a bestselling thriller written by Rumaan Alam - one that has been widely read and discussed, nominated for the National Book Award, and was also recently snapped up by NetFlix to be developed into a film. It's a novel that feels almost like a compendium of modern anxieties and fears, touching on issues such as racial relations, environmental concerns, geopolitical fears, parenting in a crisis, effective masculinity, our dependence on technology/connectivity (and what it may be doing to us), and above all, our obligation to our fellow human beings. But do all these intriguing touch points and hot buttons mean that the book itself is a satisfying reading experience that we both enthusiastically recommend? Sorry folks, you're going to have to listen to this one to find out... and we hope you do!
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Selected Non-Fictions,' Jorge Luis Borges -
TBD -
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
An undisclosed novel -
'The Meeting at Telgte,' Gunter Gräss -
'The Songlines,' Bruce Chatwin -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'Leave the World Behind' by Rumaan Alam -
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
TBD!!

Episode 37: Hidden Gems

For this edition of everyone's favorite biweekly literary podcasts, your Book XChange hosts present some "deep cuts" from their own personal bookshelves. The idea with our "Hidden Gems" episode is to offer some "of the beaten path" recommendations of books - from all genres, fiction and non-fiction - that might intrigue our listeners and/or give them something new to try. As readers Jude and John both get a lot of satisfaction from discovering the work of a writer we may have never heard of before, or dusting off a long-forgotten novel or book that might provide some hidden insights for people living today. We hope that listeners can find something of interest in this adventurous and eclectic discussion... if nothing else, no one can accuse the BXC boys of narrow reading! Your meal is hot and waiting on the table folks... dig in!! [NOTE: Very special shout-out to listeners HW and KC for their recent contributions and feedback offered to the show. We appreciate you very much, and every other listener to the BXC!]
MUSIC: Young Wolf, Voidz Panda
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
'The Gospel According to Jesus Christ,' Jose Saramago -
TBD -
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
Undisclosed -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'At the End of the Santa Fe Trail,' Sister Blandina Segale -
'A Month in the Country,' - J. L. Carr -
'Fear,' Gabriel Chevalier -
'The Bookshop,' Penelope Fitzgerald -
'The Old Boys,' William Trevor -
'Only Yesterday: An Informal History of the 1920's,' Frederick Lewis Allen -
Books of history by Christopher Dawson -
Books of history by Barbara Tuchman -
'The Meeting at Telgte,' Günter Grass -
'Gould's Book of Fish,' Richard Flanagan -
'The Songlines,' Bruce Chatwin -
'You Know When the Men Are Gone,' Siobhan Fallon -
'A Hero for the People,' Arthur Powers -
Short stories by Tim Gautreaux, J. F. Powers and Breece D'J Pancake -
'The Cape and Other Stories from the Japanese Ghetto,' Kenji Nakagami -
'Red Dust: A Path Through China,' Ma Jian -
'The Moth Snowstorm: Nature and Joy,' Michael McCarthy -
'Fragments of an Infinite Memory: My Life with the Internet,' Maël Renouard -
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
Episode 38 will be an in-depth review of a novel recommended by a BXC listener: 'Leave the World Behind' by Rumaan Alam... this is recent and "buzzy" novel that presents a vaguely apocalyptic scenario and how it is handled by two well-off couples who end up together in a lush vacation home in a rural area of Long Island.

Episode 36: The BXC Goes West (Part 1)

Jude and John grab a rifle, a pony, and go ridin' out into the bloody "evening redness in the west" in Episode 36 of the Book XChange podcast. The subject of "the American west in literature" is about as vast, wide open and intimidating as the very landscape itself, so we decided it may take not one, but TWO episodes to do it justice. In this first part, we tackle "Western novels" - which of course is a term that can encompass a wide variety of books and writers. We talk of course about the well known, somewhat hackneyed symbols, cliches and archetypes that can populate the genre - but also cover a number of books that seek to satirize, analyze and subvert these tropes. We cover authors both legendary and lesser known, male and female, and try to articulate what makes the American west such mythic, mysterious, and at times malicious terrain. In a second part (which we will save until a later date), we will look not at novels but at non-fiction books that examine the history, mythos and allure of the land stretching beyond the Mississippi River... yeehaw!!
MUSIC: John Williams, Young Wolf, Voidz Panda
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Warlock,' Oakley Hall -
'How to Think: A Survival Guide for A World at Odds,' Alan Jacobs -
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Red Storm Rising,' Tom Clancy -
TBD -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'Blood Meridian,' 'The Border Trilogy,' 'No Country For Old Men,' Cormac McCarthy -
'The Virginian,' Owen Wister -
Various works of James Fennimore Cooper -
'The Ox-Bow Incident,' Walter Van Tilburg Clark -
'Giant,' Edna Ferber -
The 'Lonesome Dove' tetralogy of Larry McMurtry -
'Train Dreams,' Denis Johnson -
'To A God Unknown,' John Steinbeck -
'Death Comes for the Archbishop,' and other works by Willa Cather -
The Wyoming stories of Annie Proulx -
'News of the World,' Paulette Jiles -
'The Sisters Brothers,' Patrick deWitt -
The Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn mysteries of Tony Hillerman -
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
For Episode 37, the Book XChange brothers will go to bat for lesser known and obscure books that we feel deserve to be read, discussed and shared. Any and all genres qualify - we're going to scour our shelves for some of the very best books we've read that are well under the radar for most folks. Here's hoping you'll find some undiscovered gems with us, next time...

Episode 35: GO BIG... or Go Home!

In this episode the BookXChange looks at the experience of reading BIG, meaty, epic-length books... books that might function well as doorstops, should you have a need for one. We dive into whether the experience of reading big books (fiction or non-fiction) is at all different from reading shorter ones; whether a reader needs to "prepare" more mentally or otherwise to take on a large tome; what the experience is like in being immersed into a story or subject that goes on for hundreds of pages; and of course, what are some of the best (and worst) experiences we've had reading longer books. Most readers can talk about the "epic" books they've loved, hated or tried their best to finish... this is the episode where your fearless (at least on paper!) literary twins roll up their sleeves and make the case for "going big or going home" when it comes to reading.
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Giving Up the Ghost,' Hilary Mantel -
'The Ox-Bow Incident,' Walter van Tilburg Clark -
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Bad Dirt: Wyoming Stories 2,' Annie Proulx -
'Warlock,' Oakley Hall -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'The Pillars of the Earth,' Ken Follett -
'Red Storm Rising,' Tom Clancy -
'Winter's Tale,' 'Freddy and Fredericka,' Mark Helprin -
'Weaveworld,' 'The Great and Secret Show,' 'Imajica,' Clive Barker -
'The Talisman,' Stephen King and Peter Straub -
'Koko,' Peter Straub -
'Tree of Smoke,' Denis Johnson -
'Middlemarch,' George Eliot -
'Skippy Dies,' Paul Murray -
'Barkskins,' Annie Proulx -
Various works by Dickens, Tolstoy, Hugo -
'John Adams,' 'Truman,' 'The Path Between the Seas,' David McCullough -
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
"The BXC Goes West"... on our next episode, the brothers will dive into books that have to do with the American West and all of its well-worn mythology... from classic Western novels, to more modern takes on the genre, to books that explore the landscape and history of the Western half of the United States... grab your rifle and pony and get ready to saddle up!

Episode 34: The BXC Review of ”A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving

The fourth in our podcast's regular series of "deep dives" into books that, for whatever reason, have the popularity, subject matter or complexity to justify an extended discussion. This time we tackle one of the more popular novels in the past several decades, a book that has struck a nerve with a great many American readers in particular, and was loudly championed by none other than Mr. Stephen King: John Irving's 1989 bestseller 'A Prayer for Owen Meany.' It's a book that certainly manages to cram quite a lot into its hefty 600-page length, and certainly has its admirers as well as its detractors. On which side will your twin hosts ultimately find themselves in this debate; how did the diminutive, prophetic titular character strike them; and what are some of the enduring merits and/or flaws of this widely read novel? Episode 34 leaves no stone unturned to try and wring some meaning out of the enigmatic seventh novel by Mr. Irving, previously best known for titles such as 'The World According to Garp' and 'The Cider House Rules.'
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
'The Reason for the Darkness of the Night: Edgar Allan Poe and the Forging of American Science,' John Tresch -
'The Abstainer,' Ian McGuire -
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'The Book of Margery Kempe,' Margery Kempe -
'Time O'Clock,' Foster Mullins -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'A Prayer for Owen Meany' by John Irving
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
"Go Big or Go Home" - in our next discussion we will talk about "big books" - books that aren't afraid to go to great lengths (literally) to entertain, inform and risk possibly infuriating their readers. Why do some books decide to "go big," is it true that weighty tomes aren't quite as popular now as they once used to be, and of course... what are some of our favorites, and why?

Episode 33 1/3: Our Favorite Books about Music

No matter where you're from, no matter what your race, culture, creed or ancestry is – your life has been touched and shaped by music in some form or fashion. Musical expression is part of what makes us human, and the mysterious joy and emotion we experience when listening to and making music is an endlessly fascinating subject. The Book XChange brothers list and discuss their favorite books about music in Episode 34 - they might be novels, musicians' memoirs, biographies, appreciations or short stories... there's something for everyone in this jamboree of a show. Glad to have each and every one of our listeners along for the ride!
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'A Prayer for Owen Meany,' John Irving -
TBD -
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
'A Prayer for Owen Meany,' John Irving -
The Reason for the Darkness of the Night: Edgar Allan Poe and the Forging of American Science,' John Tresch -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'The Land Where the Blues Began,' Alan Lomax -
'Chronicles: Volume 1,' Bob Dylan -
'33 1/3 Series: Master of Reality,' John Darnielle -
'Amsterdam,' Ian McEwan -
'How Music Works,' David Byrne -
'Born to Run,' Bruce Springsteen -
'The Commitments,' Roddy Doyle -
'Sonny's Blues' (short story), James Baldwin -
'Fargo Rock City: A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural Nörth Daköta,' Chuck Klosterman -
'Random Samples: Demystifying the Magic Music of Rush,' Jude Joseph Lovell -
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
Episode 34 will be our first "BXC Review" episode since March, this time taking on the polarizing late 80's John Irving novel, 'A Prayer for Owen Meany.' Join us for a deep dive into a novel that has been both lauded and derided with equal vehemence over the years...

Episode 32: Freedom

Recorded one day after the United States of America's 245th birthday, the latest episode of the Book XChange podcast takes advantage of the Independence Day vibes to consider the gifts and responsibilities of FREEDOM. And not just American freedom either, but "freedom" as it pertains to all members of the human family. We discuss and recommend books that have something to teach, say, remind, provoke, or inspire about the ideal of freedom. From classic autobiographies and political treatises, to novels, to philosophical ruminations on art and individual expression – this episode looks at what it means to consider, value, protect and fight for freedom. We hope listeners will appreciate whatever freedoms they are blessed to enjoy, and maybe hear some interesting reading recommendations along the way. Happy 4th of July to our American listeners, and a huge thank you as always to all of you, no matter where you're from!
BOOKS DISCUSSED/MENTIONED/RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE
What Jude is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Borstal Boy,' Brendan Behan -
'A Prayer for Owen Meany,' John Irving -
What John is currently reading/plans to read next:
'Fragments of an Infinite Memory: My Life with the Internet,' Maël Renouard -
TBD -
Books/Writers discussed in this episode:
'Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era,' James M. McPherson -
'Long Walk to Freedom,' Nelson Mandela -
'The Underground Railroad,' Colson Whitehead -
It Can't Happen Here,' Sinclair Lewis -
'Les Misérables,' Victor Hugo -
'Parting the Waters' (and the 'America in the King Years' trilogy), Taylor Branch -
'You Are Not A Gadget: A Manifesto,' Jaron Lanier -
'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself,' Frederick Douglass -
'A Star Called Henry,' Roddy Doyle -
'Common Sense,' Thomas Paine
Planned next episode of the Book XChange podcast:
Episode 33 1/3 (get it?) will cover... books that are somehow about music! Join us next time for a symphony of recommendations of great books either written by musicians, or about the magic and mystery of music in some way.