Four Friends and a Book

Four Friends hits the 25th episode milestone!And what would the 'cast be without technical problems?Teresa loses her hearing for a spell, but the group recovers strongly to talk about Teresa's chosen genre, non-political non-fiction!Chaos ensues when Teresa's audio fails but she powers through to share how she never realized a book about Tuberculosis was missing from her life. Diane shares her love of Elyse Meyers' bestseller, prompting Joe to dig up the classic Elyse taco date video.Teresa then bounces back with yet another banger, 99 Ways to Die, prompting Joe to dig up the Tangerine Kitty classic, "Dumb Ways to Die."Joe brings things home with Simon Winchester's 1998 classic, The Professor and the Madman, about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary and the unlikely friendship that developed between the two men -- Professor James Murray and Dr. W.C. Minor -- who did much of the heavy lifting.A super fun episode with fun little side trips, following Joe's ADD down amusing rabbit holes!This week's books:Teresa: Everything is Tuberculosis by John GreenDiane: That’s a Great Question I’d Love to Tell You by Elyse MeyersTeresa: 99 Ways to Die: And How to Avoid Them by Ashely Alker MDJoe: The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester (aka The Surgeon of Crowthorne)David: Trapped in end-of-semester grading hell, but next up on his list is Everything is Tuberculosis

David leads Diane, Teresa, and Joe into a genre none of the three had ever explored: Graphic Novels.The Friends explore how well traditional books translate to the graphic novel form, whether the graphic novel medium scratches the same reading itch that traditional books do, and the value and power of any format that encourages children to read.David: Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons (Illustrator/Letterer), John Higgins (Colorist)Joe: The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, Damian Duffy and John JenningsDiane: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Author), Renee Nault (Illustrator)Teresa: Donut the Destroyer by Sarah Graley, Stef PureninsOther: A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel Series by Daniel Abraham

This episode's topic: Strong women charactersDiane's pick kicked of a dynamite discussion of books featuring strong, memorable women characters.Conversation included discussion of the Bechdel test as applied to books, what makes a memorable woman character, unforgettable villainous women characters, and whether or not men can write strong, independent, and memorable women characters well.We visit with such memorable and lovable characters as Loretta Thurwar and Hurricane Staxxx, Frankie McGrath, Lauren Olamina, Lisey Landon, Avalon Dale and Primrose Meath, Elphaba and Glinda, Elizabeth Zott, and the inimitable, unforgettable Annie Wilkes.Check out some of the titles discussed in this episode:Chain Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahThe Women by Kristin HannahThe Great Alone by Kristin HannahParable of the Sower by Octavia E. ButlerLisey's Story by Stephen KingEducated by Tara WestoverHarmless Women by Rebecca SharpeWicked by Jennifer L. ArmentroutFinding Chika by Mitch Albom (not available from Patchouli Joe's)The Dead Detective by J.R. Rain and Rod Kierkegaard Jr.After Oz by Gordon McAlpineGirl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusThe Red Tent by Anita DiamantMisery by Stephen King

The four friends -- still without a proper podcast name -- take on Political Satire.For the first time in recorded human history, Teresa agrees with Joe, both declaring that non-fiction cannot be satire. Then Joe started waffling and chaos returned.As the discussion unfolded, the breadth of Political Satire was surprising, bringing in discussions of everything from The Bonfire of the Vanities, Yellowface, Our Missing Hearts, America (The Book), and a book David mentioned, Something-something Merchant blah something-something. Bonus points for working the late, great Hunter S. Thompson into the discussion.Can near-future dystopian be political satire? Can non-fiction be satire? Can the group ever land on a podcast name that hasn't already been chosen?Next week: Diane discusses books with strong women charactersBonfire of the Vanities by Tom WolfeFear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 by Hunter S. ThompsonAmerican Hero (aka Wag the Dog) by Larry Beinhart (Wag the Dog)Yellowface by R.F. KuangOur Missing Hearts by Celeste NgSlaughterhouse-Five by Kurt VonnegutAmerica (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction by Jon Stewart (not available from Patchouli Joe's)I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert (not available from Patchouli Joe's)The Stand by Stephen KingAnimal Farm by George Orwell1984 by George Orwell

Teresa shares her favorite selections from her favorite genre: Magical Realism.The Four Bookish Friends discuss the distinction between fantasy and magical realism, different ways authors slip magical realism elements into other genres, and their overall love for the genre.Teresa:Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily HabeckDiane:The Murmur of Bees by Sofia SegoviaThe World That We Knew by Alice HoffmanJoe:The Lovely Bones by Alice SeboldThe Husbands: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel by Holly GramazioDavid:Curse of the Phoenix (The Arcane Irregulars Book 1) by Dan Willis (not available at Patchouli Joe's)

David brings the twistiest of genres to the Four Friends, with Henry VIII: Wolfman, and genre-bending retelling of the story of Henry VIII...if he were a werewolf.The conversation was interesting and insightful, tracing the thematic elements -- the "connective tissue" -- of the original with the retelling.Austen Affair by Madeline Bell11/22/63 by Stephen KingPride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve HockensmithIt's a Wonderful Death by E. N. McMahonHenry VIII: Wolfman by A. E. Moorat (not available at Patchouli Joe's)Next up: Magical Realism from Teresa!

The Four Friends discuss the new name for the 'cast Joe's taste in movies, and six incredible books from four momentous black voices.The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes MooreParable of the Sower by Octavia E. ButlerJames by Percival EverettErasure by Percival EverettDeacon King Kong by James McBrideThe Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Joe shares his love for military/espionage/political thrillers and his favorite authors from that genre -- John le Carré, W.E.B. Griffin, Tom Clancy, and Dan Brown. Surprisingly, it's not the action that he finds so fascinating; it's the ethical challenges faced by the protagonists.From the Cold War to the Drug Wars and beyond, the Four Friends talk about their favorites in the genre...and why they love them.Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le CarréThe Lieutenants (Brotherhood of War series) by W.E.B. GriffinRed Storm Rising by Tom ClancyThe Da Vinci Code by Dan BrownThe Women by Kristin HannahArtificial Wisdom by Thomas R. WeaverThe Lions of Lucerne by Brad ThorThe List by Steve Berry

Teresa's excitement about the 2026 Winter Olympics cannot be quashed by the lack of participation in this discussion of books that the other three friends didn't read.Join this spirited discussion about pretty much everything except books about the Winter Olympics or that were Olympic adjacent or had at least something to do with winter sports.

The Four Friends welcome in Patchouli Stephanie, Diane's and Joe's daughter...and, unbeknownst to anyone, former college classmate of Teresa's and David's daughter!Diane's "Who Was Your First" idea spawned a discussion of the first book everyone read that made them feel connected to books, followed by a discussion of what we're reading now.The technical wheels came off the train almost from the beginning. Blame was cast on everything from the snow/ice storm in North Texas, the alignment of Mercury, and sun spots. (The reality is that it was probably the incompetence of the producer.)Somehow the friends muddled through and this episode finally made it to the world, albeit with major post-production editing.Teresa:THEN: Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene (first 5 books) ; Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol (4 book set)NOW: The Poppy Fields by Nikki ErlickDavid:THEN: Call of the Wild by Jack London; White Fang by Jack London; Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson RawlsNOW: Murder at the Front by Lynn Morrison (not available from Patchouli Joe’s)DianeTHEN: That Was Then, This is Now by S.E. HintonNOW: The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie HartnettJoe:THEN: The Rookie by Tex Maule (OUT OF PRINT)NOW: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

David, Diane, Teresa, and Joe reassemble after a down week and David brings his A game, talking about Adam Schiff's ⁠Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could⁠.The group discusses political nonfiction books, dystopian fiction, and everything in between.The discourse gets a little salty so listener/viewer discretion is advised.

The Hepcats --- Teresa, Diane, David, and Joe --- return from the Holiday break to talk about their favorite "looking forward" booksDiane: The Joy Diet by Martha BeckTeresa: Strong Ground by Brené BrownJoe: ⁠The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel RuizAnd, as it turns out, there's already another podcast called 4 Friends & a Book so the crew is in search of a new name. Drop us your suggestion at [email protected]. If you don't come up with a name, David will come up with one. Nobody wants that.

Teresa, Diane, David, and Joe share their favorite Holiday (and Holiday-adjacent) reads and traditions.Diane: The Briar Club by Kate QuinnTeresa: Maria by Michelle MoranJoe: Skipping Christmas by John GrishamDavid: The Night Before Christmas by Clement MooreThe Friends take on the big Holiday question: Is fruit cake -- and, by extension, fruit cake cookies -- a sin?David shares a beloved family Christmas tradition with the very special reading of Clement Moore's classic, The Night Before Christmas and Kooper makes his Four Friends and a Book debut at the 48-ish minute mark.And, of course, the Four Friends wish a Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Teresa, David, Diane, and Joe discuss which books were made into movies they loved, which ones were made into movies they didn't love as much, and which books were so good they couldn't bring themselves to watch the movie at all, lest it ruin the book for them.Joe expresses his disdain for Mark Wahlberg ("Matt Damon is to Mark Wahlberg as Alec Baldwin is to Stephen Baldwin"), David explains why he believes that Tom Cruise has jumped the shark, and Teresa and Diane try to keep the boys in line. (Good luck with that.)- Life of Chuck- The Notebook- The Hunger Games- Twilight Saga- The Godfather- Leave the Gun, Take the Canoli- Thursday Murder Club

David regrets having chose Westerns for this week's genre. That is, until Teresa, Diane, and Joe started questioning what exactly makes a Western a Western.The usual suspects led to discussions of Larry McMurtry, Charles Portis, Louis L'Amour, Cormac McCarthy...but then came Elmore Leonard, John Steinbeck, and even Stephen King.What makes a Western a Western? Join us to find out!Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Done and Dusted: A Revel Blue Ranch Novel by Lyla Sage Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy Buried in the Back Water by Drew Strickland Fire in the Hole by Elmore Leonard No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger by Stephen King True Grit by Charles Portis Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey NOTE: This one gets a little adult language-y, so keep that in mind with the littles around.

Diane, Teresa, David, and Joe get caught up after a week off and discuss their favorite books of 2025 (so far).Here are their favorites:Diane:The Wedding People by Alison EspachThe Briar Club by Kate QuinnThe Bright Years by Sarah DamoffThe Road to Tender Hearts by Annie HartnettTeresa:The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn SkyeCat’s People by Tanya GuerreroThe Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie BostwickEverything is Tuberculosis by John GreenDavid:The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. SchwabThe Bookshop of Secrets by Kerry BarrettThe Mystic Caravan Mysteries by Amanda M. Lee (latest: Freaky Festivals; first: Freaky Days)The Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens by Matthew BawermanJoe:Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. ButlerSunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne CollinsThe Husbands by Holly GramazioOn Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Diane and Joe join the 'cast from the road, in Las Vegas, as Teresa leads the discussion of legal thrillers, like Phillip Margolin's latest, FALSE WITNESS, and John Grisham's latest, THE WIDOW.The friends discuss the unforgivable sins of legal thrillers and the things that make great thrillers great.Listen to hear what's coming next, as bibliophilia moves into the holiday season!

David rises from his sick bed as Diane honors Native American Heritage Month by recognizing the contributions of Tommy Orange, author of THERE THERE and WANDERING STARS.The four friends discuss the importance of seeing the world through the eyes of others and Diane introduces our followers to poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo. The four discuss banned books, hidden histories, and fry bread.

The Friends discuss book lists - celebrity lists, publisher lists, crowdsourced lists, and more. They also welcome in a new friend: Joe's son, Jon. He may not be renowned but he's definitely nowned.

The Friends confess their deepest, darkest secrets: which books they just couldn't get through. Milquetoast characters, overwrought writing, and just plain "I didn't like it" were among the reasons for noping out of a book somewhere between the first and last page.

The Friends celebrate the season as Teresa turns the podcast spooky. The group breaks down what makes a good spooky read, the difference between spooky and creepy (spoiler alert: Teresa believes the distinction is clowns), and some of their favorite mind-bending favorites. A celebration of fright from the heart of Halloween, Texas!

David shares his comfort genre -- cozy mysteries -- with the crew. "Cozies" cover everything from series involving vampire knitting club to Ellory ("baked in the North and buttered in the South" Adams' "Secret, Book, & Scone Society" series. Plus lots of talk about Denton being officially designated "Halloween, Texas."

Diane shares her love of historical fiction, and this enthralling historical novel from Kate Quinn, THE BRIAR CLUB. The friends discuss what makes historical fiction, the importance of women's voices in literature, particularly in this genre, and Teresa and Joe discover their book Venn diagrams overlap after all, thanks to Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN.

Joe opens with a discussion of George Orwell's satirical, allegorical dystopian novella, ANIMAL FARM. The group discusses Orwell as the nom de plume of English author Eric Blair, the symbolism of the animals, and the historical context of the book. The group discovers that David is not a fan of anthropomorphic animals (but loves robots), Teresa doesn't like Satire, and Diane isn't a fan of the book at all.If the friends are discussing a "classic," how do they define what a classic is?

Teresa introduces the group to The Summer We Ran and the Friends discuss cover art, bullet holes in title pages (thanks, Jack Carr!), southern literature, secrets, and much more!