Pop Culture
Around this time last year one of my friends asked me if I listened to the Serial podcast. I didn’t. Every second of my free time is consumed by music or books, so I claimed I didn’t have time to listen to a podcast. After a few days of hearing how amazing it was, I finally decided to give it a try.
Serial lives up to the hype in every way. (Disclaimer: I’m referring to the first season of the podcast, about Adnan Syed fighting to clear his name of the murder of his ex-girlfriend; a crime which occurred in 1999. I can’t speak for the second season, as I’m not yet caught up on it.) After devouring the 12 episodes of Serial available at the time, I immediately wanted another podcast to obsess over. I accepted a few recommendations from the same friend who introduced me to Serial, and I also began to branch out on my own to find new ones. For those of you who have never listened to podcasts, maybe you’ll read some of these descriptions and find something that sparks your interest. For those of you who already subscribe to several podcasts, maybe you’ll find a few new ones. And please, if you have a recommendation for one I need to check out, let me know. (Also, the best episode line, that’s obviously my own opinion. Feel free to disagree.) If you’re interested in books… All the Books features Liberty Hardy (@MissLiberty on Twitter) and Rebecca Schinsky (@RebeccaSchinsky on Twitter) talking about many of the new books coming out each week. If you want to hear two people gush unashamedly about books, you have to listen to these two. They’re my book nerd heroes (plus they have tattoos and not-necessarily-normal colored hair, so they’re totally my people). Best Episode So Far: “Episode #27: New Releases for Nov. 10, 2015” (It was incredibly difficult to pick a favorite, so I went with the episode recorded at Book Riot Live.) Get Booked features Amanda Nelson (@ImAmandaNelson on Twitter) and Jenn Northington (@jennIRL on Twitter) offering personalized reading recommendations based on emails and tweets people send them, asking about what books they should read next. If you’re like me and can’t get certain books out of your head, this podcast is a great way to find out about similar books that can give you the same fix. And, like everyone who works for Book Riot, these two are hilarious and have read way more books than any human being should have time to read. Best Episode So Far: “Episode #16: Mermaids Because of Reasons” If you’re interested in Broadway… Broadway Bullet: Theatre from Broadway, Off-Broadway and beyond features interviews with performers, writers, and directors, as well as live performances from a variety of shows. Best Episode So Far: “Vol. 04 - Sept. 6, 2006 - NYMF pt. 4” Theater People features interviews with a specific Broadway performer in each episode. Best Episode So Far: “Laura Benanti Part 1 (Episode 45)” and “Laura Benanti Part 2 (Episode 46)” If you’re interested in comedy… Barely Friending is the ongoing saga of MJ Riggins and Eddie Della Siepe who used to date and now kind of hate each other, but decided to start a podcast together. Just a heads up, there is a lot of cursing on this show and they talk about sex all the time; so if that’s not your thing, you should probably skip this one. Best Episode So Far: “Episode 12: Online Dating” If you’re interested in creeping yourself out… Archive 81 tells the story of an archivist who’s been tasked with listening to a set of mysterious tapes that involve residents of an apartment complex being interviewed. The archivist sends these tapes to one of his friends shortly before disappearing. Now, the narrator is making his way through the tapes in an attempt to discover what happened to his friend. (Disclaimer: The first couple episodes are great and set up the story perfectly. Then it falls apart a little in the middle because all of the tapes seem to give the same information. But the last couple episodes definitely make up for the slack in the middle.) Best Episode So Far: “Episode 9: An Implosion of an Idea” Limetown tells the story of a small town in Tennessee where, just over a decade ago, more than 300 citizens disappeared. The podcast picks up when a reporter, Lia Haddock, decides to start digging to find out what happened to these people. Unfortunately, her investigation leads her into some dangerous territory and she quickly finds herself in over her head. Best Episode So Far: “Episode 3: Napoleon” Lore is written and narrated by Aaron Mahnke and provides insight into the truth and history behind common myths, folklore, and urban legends. (Disclaimer: The early episodes are significantly better than the more recent ones. I don’t know what happened. They just haven’t been as good lately.) Best Episode So Far: “Episode 10: Steam & Gas” The Message is written by playwright Mac Rogers and narrated by Nicky Tomalin. Nicky is interviewing a group of scientists and government officials who have been tasked with decoding a message received from outer space 70 years ago. The main problem with this is that the message acts much like the videotape in The Ring. If you listen to the recording, you’re probably going to die. Best Episode So Far: “Episode 5” If you’re interested in just plain weird… Alice Isn’t Dead comes from the creators of Welcome to Night Vale. Jasika Nicole voices a truck driver as she drives across America in search of her possibly dead wife. Along the way she runs into murderers, conspiracies, unexpected allies, and some interesting bulletin boards in Kansas. Best Episode So Far: “Part 1, Chapter 5: Signs & Wonders” Hello from the Magic Tavern follows the adventures of Arnie, who fell through a portal behind a Burger King and is now trapped in the land of Foon. Luckily, he had his podcasting equipment with him, so he’s set up shop in the local inn and attempts to communicate with his own world, usually accompanied by a talking badger (technically a shapeshifter, but whatever) and a somewhat incompetent wizard. Heads up, a lot of cursing and discussions of sex. Best Episode So Far: “14 - Music of Foon” Welcome to Night Vale is created by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor and is narrated by Cecil Baldwin. Each episode consists of Cecil broadcasting his radio show to the citizens of Night Vale, a small desert town occupied by dark hooded figures, a mysterious glow cloud (All Hail!), the Sheriff’s Secret Police, murderous librarians, a beautiful scientist named Carlos (and his perfect hair), as well as countless others. Best Episode So Far: “26 - Faceless Old Woman” Random Episodes of Other Podcasts to Check Out Book Riot - The Podcast - “#9: Bad Job, Old Dudes Drunk Booksellers: The Podcast - “Ep 2: Katelyn Phillips, WORD Bookstore” Invisibilia - “Fearless” Pop Culture Happy Hour - “A Conversation with Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)” This American Life - “And the Call Was Coming from the Basement” You Must Remember This - Episodes 44-55 are all about Charles Manson and his various connections to Hollywood. They’re fascinating and horrific.
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Jacinta M. CarterProfessional Book Nerd ArchivesCategories |