On this episode, the Buddies jumped on their dragons and rode into the Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros; a Young adult book with heavy emphasis on the adult portion. If you like dragons, magic, and sexual tension that goes from zero to a hundred faster than Dom Toretto, then this book is for you. The Buddies got to talking about Basil Exposition, trauma counseling for students, and even played a game of 50 Shades or Fourth Wing. So, hop on your dragon if you were lucky enough to get chosen by one, bring your Signets, your love for Xaden (and hate for Dain) and join us as we jump into the first book of The Empyrean Series.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-3:43)

Stock Up/Down (3:44-29:11)

Favorite Scene/Character (29:12-36:16)

Love/Hate (36:17-46:21)

Listener Mail/Reviews (46:22-49:22)

Casting the Movie/TV Show (49:23-52:07)

Conclusion (52:08-55:46)

NEXT BOOK: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The Buddies dive into All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whittaker. A story that manages to combine elements of Joe Dirt, Shawshank Redemption, Where the Crawdad Sing, and Forrest Gump into one surprisingly coherent narrative. Or more simply put, a tale about a pirate turning into a great painter. The book had the Buddies debating proper broccoli-roasting techniques, questioning why Ivy League acceptances are treated like community college admissions in small-town Missouri, and wondering if maybe eyepatch technology is due for an upgrade after several centuries. So, grab your sketchbook (preferably filled with portraits of missing persons), double-check that your doors are locked, and join the Buddies as they navigate through this heart-wrenching story.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-4:08)

Stock Up/Down (2:49-39:33)

Favorite Scene/Character/Listener Email (39:34-45:16)

Love/Hate (45:17-54:31)

Lingering Questions/Casting the Movie/Show (54:32-59:25)

Conclusion (59:26-1:02:07)

NEXT BOOK: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The Buddies enter Britain and the world of King Arthur in The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. If you're sophisticated, you'll know this as an "Arthurian tale" or a retelling of the classic animated TV show King Arthur and the Knights of Justice. The book had the Buddies debating the merits of LSD-powered sorcery, comparing bar game courage to battlefield bravery, and wondering if maybe everyone in the Dark Ages just had terrible eyesight. So, grab your sword (named or unnamed), pour yourself some liquid courage, and join the Buddies as they battle through Book 1 of the Warlord Chronicles.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-2:48)
Stock Up/Down (2:49-32:14)
Favorite Scene/Character (32:15-42:50)
Love/Hate (42:51-52:12)
Listener Email (52:13-55:01)
Casting the Movie/Show (55:02-56:22)
Conclusion (56:23-57:53)

NEXT BOOK: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

The Buddies are back for their 5th year! They kick off 2025 with Noah Hawley's, Before the Fall. The Buddies got to chatting about what this book was really about. It is marketed as a mystery novel, but deep down it’s about: the importance of never answering questions, having ‘French toast hands’, and destroying a house in the name of art. So, grab your life vests, your philosophical questions, and your disdain for the media, and join the Buddies as we take the plunge into Before the Fall.

Intro/Book Report(0:00-4:28)
Stock Up/Down (4:29-30:09)
Favorite Scene/Character (30:10-36:39)
Love/Hate (36:40-45:55)
Conclusion (45:56-47:49)

NEXT BOOK: The Winter King (The Warlord Trilogy) by Bernard Cornwell

The Buddies unearth the horror section this week with Silvia Moreno-Garcia's, Mexican Gothic. The Buddies didn’t… love this one per say. They got to talking about the Get Out similarities, Eminem’s lyric connection, and “atmospheric writing”. So light yourself a cigarette, we needed a few whilst reading this one. And Join us as we discuss/attack Mexican Gothic.

Intro/Book Report(0:00-3:03)
Stock Up/Down (3:04-22:33)
Favorite Scene/Character (22:34-27:12)
Love/Hate (27:13-37:20)
Conclusion (37:21-39:05)

NEXT BOOK: Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

The Buddies sadly close out their epic pilgrimage into the Harry Potter world with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2. In this episode, they discuss a wide range of topics, including fearing death, goblin-wizard relations, and casting couches. Plus, they tackle the age-old question: Is it okay to slow dance with your best friend’s girlfriend alone in your room? So, grab your popcorn and tissues as we watch the final movies of this epic, life-changing series.

Intro (0:00-1:55)
Stock Up/Down (1:56-46:45)
Favorite Scene/Character (46:46-53:59)
Love/Hate (54:00-1:04:14)
Lingering Questions (1:04:15-1:08:25)
Conclusion (1:08:26-1:10:14)

NEXT BOOK: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The Buddies close out J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series with book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was a sad episode for the Buddies as they finished the last chapter in their favorite book series, and got to talking about: Snape the “good guy”, Unforgivable Curses basically being magical jaywalking, and "kids" fairytales. Per usual, the Buddies got into some conspiracy theories that would make Xenophilius Lovegood look like a mainstream journalist. So grab your wands, brooms, and Deathly Hallows, for the last time and join us on our Harry Potter nostalgic farewell tour.

Intro (0:00-1:19)
Stock Up/Down (1:20-38:33)
Favorite Scene/Character/Magical Elements (38:34-51:40)
Love/Hate (51:41-1:04:05)
Lingering Questions (1:04:06-1:10:17)
Conclusion (1:10:18-1:16:53)

NEXT Episode: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by - MOVIE

NEXT BOOK: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The Buddies watch movie #6 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on this week’s episode. They get to chatting about: Hogwarts "three strikes policy" for attempted murder, how Ginny and Harry's on-screen chemistry makes a flobberworm look charismatic, and whether Dumbledore the worst wingman in wizarding history. So, grab yourself some Felix Felicis, don’t tie your shoes, because we’re all getting real lucky on this episode.

Intro (0:00-1:17)
Stock Up/Down (1:18-26:33)
Favorite Scene/Character/Studio Notes (26:34-39:05)
Love/Hate (39:06-48:03)
Conclusion (48:04-50:33)

NEXT Episode: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling