Cracking The Spine

We set out trying to tackle the gigantic beast that is the Amazon Kindle store, but end up getting completely hung up on one specific author. Really, there are a lot of weird, weird, WEIRD things that you can buy for your e-reader. Maybe stick to real books?Black Chalk by: Christopher J. YatesMy Best Friend’s Exorcism by: Grady HendrixWhat If We’re Wrong? by: Chuck KlostermanLexicon by: Max BarryHedging His Bets by: Celia KyleDragon Her Feet by: Celia KyleGay T-Rex Law Firm: Executive Boner by: Chuck Tingle Turned Gay By The Existential Dread That I May Actually Be A Character In A Chuck Tingle Book by: Chuck Tingle

Proving that you can find anything on the internet, the gang this week tackles the evil inherent in coloring mandalas in adult coloring books. Yes, apparently there are people out there who will tell you that coloring symbols of Eastern philosophy literally leads to demons possessing you. Sean, Zane and Josh have feelings on that. They share those feelings. You listen. That's how this whole thing works.

There's nothing sacred for your intrepid show hosts, as this week they peek behind the bathroom door to find out what they're reading on the toilet. Or, you know, what they're not reading. Naturally, this leads to a discussion of how one becomes Voldemort. Listen up, and no hand washing needed!Books mentioned:The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by: Erik LarsonBut What If We're Wrong?: Thinking about the Present as If It Were the Past by: Chuck KlostermanSecurity by: Gina WohlsdorfAbomination by: Gary WhittaThing Explainer: Complicated Stuff In Simple Words by: Randall MunroeUncle John’s Bathroom Reader by: Bathroom Reader’s InstituteWhy Do Clocks Run Clockwise? and Other Imponderables: Mysteries of Everyday Life Explained by: David Feldman

Thanks once again to a listener's suggestion, Zane and Sean get deep into the literary tropes they love and hate. Which cliches never fail to lure them in, and which ones have become hackneyed. Meanwhile, Josh is nowhere to be found.Books mentioned:The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by: Erik LarsonMy Best Friend’s Exorcism by: Grady HendrixBut What If We're Wrong?: Thinking about the Present as If It Were the Past by: Chuck KlostermanThe Girl On The Train by: Paula HawkinsSeveneves by: Neal StephensonAurora by: Kim Stanley RobinsonDiamond Age by: Neal StephensonA Decent Ride by: Irvine Welsh Lovecraft Country by: Matt Ruff

There are fifty two weeks in a year, and this is episode fifty and two, so we're declaring this the Official Cracking the Spine One Year Anniversary show! We couldn't have made it this long without such great support from our listeners, and we once again draw on that support for this week's topic. Our hosts discuss the books that are the most important books in each of their lives. While every book is important to someone, what is that one book (or more than one book) that Zane, Josh and Sean absolutely cannot be without. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by: Erik LarsonThe Regional Office Is Under Attack by: Manuel GonzalesMy Best Friend’s Exorcism by: Grady HendrixNeuromancer by: William GibsonThe Hero WIth A Thousand Faces by: Joseph CampbellHarry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone by: J. K. RowlingThe Lord Of The Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

Because we love you so much (so very very much... like... really... it could be considered an unhealthy amount of love) we bring you a special Valentine's Day episode of CtS! Sean, Josh and Zane share stories and letters of love, love and MORE LOVE OH MY GOD SO MUCH LOVE! We hope you enjoy it, maybe even... love? it?

Come with me and we'll be in a world of pure imagination! The gang jumps all over another listener suggestion to talk about what genre they would stock their dream library with. 2/3 of your hosts know exactly where to go. One of them, let's call her "Zane", isn't so sure. Books mentioned:Security by: Gina WholsdorfThe Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by: Erik LarsonDark Matter by: Blake Crouch The Regional Office Is Under Attack by: Manuel Gonzales

Man, our listeners come up with the best ideas! This week, at the suggestion of one of those awesome listeners, your hosts and friends (and potential Valentines) discuss all those books they've always wanted to read, but never got around to. Josh's list is longer than most... Books mentioned: The Devil In The White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America Trade Book by: Erik LarsonIn the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by: Erik LarsonA Head Full Of Ghosts by: Paul Tremblay Grendel by: John GardnerAbomination by: Gary WhittaJane Eyre by: Charlotte BronteThe Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by: Douglas AdamsThere Is No God and He Is Always with You: A Search for God in Odd Places by: Brad WarnerIn the Wake of the Plague: The Black Death and the World It Made by: Norman F. CantorInvincible Compendium, Vol. 1 by: Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker (Illustrator), Ryan Ottley (Illustrator)Watchmen by: Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons (Illustrator)Frankenstein by:

This week another listener has tossed out a great topic, and your three undaunted hosts tackle it head on. Zane, Josh and Sean are forced to think about what book they would write, were they tasked to write a book. It's not quite as easy as you may think. Also, Josh doesn't have a FitBit and is mocked soundly for it.Books mentioned:Star Wars: The Force Awakens by: Alan Dean FosterThe Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by: Erik LarsonThe Cuckoo’s Calling by: Robert GalbraithThe Martian by: Andy WeirAbomination by: Gary WhittaA Game Of Thrones by: George R. R. MartinAurora by: Kim Stanley RobinsonThe Fold by: Peter Clines Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone by: J. K. Rowling

This week, Zane, Josh and Sean take another great listener suggestion to talk about how we store and maintain our libraries. Books are very important in our lives, so taking care of them merits a conversation. You decide if it's interesting! Also, there's a Valentine surprise at the end...Books mentioned:The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert GalbraithLovecraft Country by: Matt RuffStar Wars: The Force Awakens by: Alan Dean FosterSomething Wicked This Way Comes by: Ray BradburyQuicksilver: Volume One of the Baroque Cycle

Happy new year spine crackers! The gang makes its triumphant 2016 debut (albiet a week late...)with another great listener suggestion. With a recent announcement from George RR Martin, we decided to tackle the idea of media creators who do (or don't) match the expectation of the audience. Listen on up!Books mentioned:The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by: Stephen KingLovecraft Country by: Matt RuffThe Gunslinger by: Stephen KingGame of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire by: George R. R. Martin Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by: J. K. Rowling

The CtS team wants to wish you and yours nothing but joy and merriment at this festive time of year. So this week we bring you a trio of Christmas readings from some of our favorite writers. We hope that this show brings some comfort and cheer to your Yuletide season.

When in the course of human events does it become acceptable to hate an artist, regardless of the relative quality of the art, based on his personal lifestyle? Our intrepid trio delve into this thorny issue.Music Used: Fractal Planetoid by: *imp* Books mentioned: The Bazaar Of Bad Dreams by: Stephen KingAbomination by: Gary WhittaThe Fireman by: Joe HillEnder’s Game by: Orson Scott CardAtlas Shrugged by: Ayn RandA Million Little Pieces by: James Frey

Dipping back into the listener mailbag, Zane and Sean discuss their own personal golden ages of writing. Josh sits this one out with a newly discovered illness. Enjoy!Music Used: Fractal Planetoid by: *imp* Books Mentioned:The Fireman by: Joe HillThe Cuckoo’s Calling by: Robert GalbraithThe Bazaar of Bad Dreams by: Stephen KingAmerican Psycho by: Bret Easton EllisTwilight by: Stephenie Meyer

The crew meets at a family Thanksgiving get together to talk about what they're thankful for, as well as reading some listeners gratitude. Spoiler alert: a lot of people are indebted to butts.Music used: I Want to Believe by: Honeychurch Books mentioned:Abomination by: Gary WhittaDodgers by: Bill BeverlyThe Cuckoo’s Calling by: Robert GalbraithThe Fireman by: Joe Hill The Da Vinci Code by: Dan Brown

A listener suggestion gives Zane, Sean and Josh fits as they struggle to come up with their favorite character, in any medium. Also,the gang gives thanks.Music Used: Sean’s Song by: Honeychurch Books mentioned: A Decent Ride by: Irvine WelshDodgers by: Bill BeverlyThe Cuckoo’s Calling by: Robert GalbraithThe Count Of Monte Cristo by: Alexandre DumasAmerican Psycho by: Bret Easton EllisManiac Magee by: Jerry SpinelliLolita by: Vladimir NabokovAnathem by: Neal StephensonHarry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone by: J. K. RowlingLittle Women by: Louisa May AlcottThe Authoritative Calvin And Hobbes by: Bill WattersonNOS4A2 by: Joe Hill

This week, Sean admits a bit of an addiction to coffee table books, Zane brings her usual awesome statistical analysis to the discussion, and Josh likes nekkid ladies. Makes a great gift!Music Used: Winter Pageant by: Honeychurch Books Mentioned:Abomination by: Gary WhittaAnd Again by: Jessica ChiarellaA Decent Ride by: Irvine WelshBunny Yeagers Pin-Up Girls Of The 1950s by: Bunny Yeager 

Josh and Sean get really deep down in the geekery this week, discussing the points where Peter Jackson's film adaptations depart from the source Tolkien mythology. Fortunately for Zane, she misses the whole thing.Music Used: Tennessee Valley by: Honeychurch Books Discussed:Abomination by: Gary WhittaA Head Full of Ghosts by: Paul TremblayAnd Again by: Jessica ChiarellaThe Nerdy Nummies Cookbook by: Rosanna PansinoThe Hobbit by: J.R.R. TolkienThe Lord of the Rings by: J.R.R. Tolkien 

Music used: The Dinner Song by: Honeychurch Books mentioned:The Fold by: Peter ClineMake Something Up: Stories You Can’t Unread by: Chuck PalahniukThe Children’s Home by: Charles LambertMade To Kill by: Adam ChristopherAnd Again by: Jessica ChiarellaMad Max: Fury Road by: Lee Bermejo, George MillerA Story Of God And All Of Us by: Roma Downey, Mark Burnett 

Happy Halloween from your friends at Cracking the Spine! Sean, Josh, and Zane bring you a trio of scary stories to celebrate the spooky day.