Yak Babies is a weekly book podcast that brings a mix of reviews, discussions, games, and read-a-longs to fellow readers who are sick of the same old stodgy book podcasts. We focus on literature, and regularly discuss comics, video games, and other media as well.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
259- Yak Picks: Graphic Novels
11:11
11:11
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
11:11
The pals share out their favorite comics and graphic novels.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
258- Foreign Words in Books
19:51
19:51
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
19:51
The pals sift between to ersatz and the echt when it comes to reasons for authors dropping foreign words in their writing.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
The pals discuss how they keep track of what they read, and it turns out each has a very different process.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
The pals discuss buying books and if they read books the buy right away (or at all). Nico asks the pals what they do with books after they read them.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
The personal pals share their favorite fantasy novels, and try to tease out the differnece between high and low fantasy.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
The pals ditch Dave to talk about Noah Baumbach's 2022 Netflix adaptation of DeLillo's novel.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
253- Genderqueer; Road of Bones; Years of Rice and Salt; Homegoing; Maame; Kindred; Ink Blood Sister Scribe; Marlena; Counterfeit; Wide Sargasso Sea; The Spy Who Loved Me
25:45
25:45
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
25:45
Books touched on: Genderqueer, by Maia Kobabe; Road of Bones, by Christopher Golden, Years of Rice and Salt, by Kim Stanley Robinson; Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi; Maame, by Jessica George; Kindred, by Ocatavia Butler and Damian Duffy; Ink Blood Sister Scribe, by Emma Torzs; Marlena, by Julie Buntin; Counterfeit, by Kirstin Chen; Comedy Bang Bang The Po…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
252- Aversions When Writing
16:53
16:53
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
16:53
Aaron asks the pals what they think of writers intentionally omitting personal hang-ups (like drinking or smoking) from their writing.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
251- What Happened to the Hugos?
13:26
13:26
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
13:26
The pals discuss the recent controversy with the Hugo awards, as well as the challenge of self-censorship in the modern era.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
250- Ryka Aoki's Light from Uncommon Stars - Canon or Cannon 2.0
56:06
56:06
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
56:06
The pals did a group read of Ryka Aoki's sci-fi novel Light from Uncommon Stars. Will it stand the test of time or be shot into the ocean of forgotten books?Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
249- The Heart of It All; Kavalier & Clay; Small Mercies; Remarkably Bright Creatures; Wild Ones; Foster; The Mysteries; Last Ronin Lost Years; Doppelgänger
39:40
39:40
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
39:40
Books this month: The Heart of It All, by Christian Keefer; The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon; Small Mercies, by Dennis Lehane; Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt; The Wild Ones, by John Mooallem; Foster, by Claire Keegan; The Mysteries, by Bill Watterson and John Kascht; The Last Ronin- The Lost Years, by …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
248- Response to 18 Tips for Reading
33:21
33:21
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
33:21
Who is Tyler Cowan and does he do cocaine?Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
247- Reading Resolutions for 2024
16:31
16:31
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
16:31
The pals close the book on 2023 and chat about what they are looking forward to in the new year.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
246- 2023 Year in Reading Review
32:49
32:49
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
32:49
The pals share their best (and worst) reading experiences of 2023.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
245- Don DeLillo’s White Noise - Canon or Cannon 2.0
54:21
54:21
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
54:21
The pals all read Don DeLillo's 1985 novel, White Noise. Should it be enshrined int he canon or blasted into the sea by cannon?Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
244b- Yak Picks: Horror Flicks
29:49
29:49
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
29:49
The pals follow up the episode on horror novels with an episode sharing their favorite horror movies and shows, including their individual Mt. Horrormores.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
The pals share their favorite horror novels.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
243- Intros and Backmatter
22:38
22:38
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
22:38
The pals discuss books with forwards and afterwards. Do you read them or skip those parts? What about supplementary matter in comics and other media?Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
242- Yak Picks: Mysteries
13:55
13:55
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
13:55
The pals discuss their favorite mystery and thriller novels.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
241- Questions About Book Reviewing
25:49
25:49
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
25:49
Nico asks his pals if friends are owed an automatic 5 stars on Goodreads. Is giving 4 stars and asshole move? Also, do people still read professional book reviews?Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
Brick is increasingly vexed by his phone's grip on his time and wonders if phones are making us dumber. Bonus Bro2Bro included!Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
239- Yak Picks: Science Fiction
19:41
19:41
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
19:41
The pals discuss their favorite sci-fi novels.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
238- Kaya; Mouse Guard; Moonshadow; Marlfox; Kitchens of the Great Midwest; Wool; Demolition Angel; The Hunter; The Great Transition; ”Mall of America”; 33 1/3; It Never Ends; Endzone
37:00
37:00
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
37:00
Books this month: Kaya, by Craig Wes; Mouse Guard, by David Petersen; The Compleat Moonshadow, by Jean Marc DeMatteis; Marlfox, by Brian Jacques; Kitchens of the Great Midwest, by J. Ryan Stradal; Wool, by Hugh Howey; Demolition Angel, by Robert Crais; The Hunter, by Jennifer Herrera; The Great Transition, by Nick Fuller Googins; "Mall of America" …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
237- Toni Morrison’s Beloved - Canon or Cannon 2.0
43:51
43:51
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
43:51
The pals read and review Toni Morrison' brutal and haunting novel 1987 Beloved. It's generally recognized as a masterpiece, will the Yaks keep it in the canon or shoot it into the sea? The deliberation may not be as clear cut as you thing. NOTE: our Patreon has not reached the level at which we can afford an on-staff factchecker. Some interpretatio…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
236- Yak Picks: Short Story Collections
20:57
20:57
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
20:57
The pals share their favorite short story collections as well as a list of runners up they enjoy.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
235- AI Writing Part 2: Sudo Elf Trap
37:21
37:21
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
37:21
The pals enlist the AI chatbot Sudo to write the first draft of the long promised Elf Trap novella. Nico commits to proving he's smarter than a robot.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
234- Reading Books in Translation
18:55
18:55
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
18:55
The plebeian pals discuss reading books written in languages other than English.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
233- Yak Picks: 21st Century Literature
13:44
13:44
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
13:44
The pals share their favorite titles of the last 23 years, and a surprise Canon or Cannon decision is made.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
232- Memorable Short Stories Assigned in Schools
25:56
25:56
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
25:56
The pals recount stories they read in grade school that stuck with them.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
231- Comics Roulette 2023
23:16
23:16
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
23:16
Aaron shares some comics first issues he thinks his pals will enjoy.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
230- Yak Picks: 20th Century Lit
14:59
14:59
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
14:59
The pals share their favorite novels from the 20th century.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
229- Memorable Antagonists
27:13
27:13
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
27:13
The pals discuss antagonists that have stuck in their minds.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
228- Euphoria; Writers and Lovers; Lessons in Chemisty The Last Housewife; I Have Some Questions for You; You Only Live Twice; Astro City Vol 2; All the Marvels; 33 1/3 Unknown Pleasures
19:55
19:55
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
19:55
Books this time: Euphoria, by Lily King; Writers and Lovers, by Lily King; Lessons in Chemisty, by Bonnie Garmus; The Last Housewife, by Ashley Winstead; I Have Some Questions for You, by Rebecca Makkai; You Only Live Twice, by Ian Fleming; Astro City Vol 2, by Kurt Busiak; All the Marvels, by Douglas Wolk; 33 1/3 Unknown Pleasures, by Chris Ott.r…
…
continue reading
The pals discuss some great authors that don't seem to ge the love and attention they deserve.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
226- Yak Picks: 19th Century Lit
18:18
18:18
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
18:18
The pals share their favorite reads from the 19th century (and earlier).Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
225- Memorable Plot Twists
32:07
32:07
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
32:07
The pals discuss plot twists as a narrative device and examples of when it has worked well or not.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
224- Reaction to ”How to make students hate English”
25:56
25:56
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
25:56
The pals react to Pamela Paul's NYTimes op-ed "How to make students hate English"Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
223- Books That Made Us Uncomfortable
26:31
26:31
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
26:31
The pals share some reading experiences that were difficult, whether by making them feel unease or revulsion, or because it challenged their thinking.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
The pals talk about the implications of ChatGPT and "creative" AI technology on writing and teaching.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
221- The Song of Pentecost; Anger; Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone; The Writing Retreat; I’m Glad My Mom Died; A Heart that Works; The Candy House; The Human Target
33:14
33:14
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
33:14
Books this time: The Song of Pentecost, by W.J. Corbett; Anger, by Thicht Naht Hahn; One Story; Boulevard; Boston Review; Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, by Benjamin Stephenson; The Writing Retreat, by Julia Bartz; I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy; A Heart that Works, by Rob Delaney; The Candy House, by Jennifer Egan; 33 1/3: Hig…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
220- Nico’s Masterclass Hot Takes Vol. 2
28:36
28:36
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
28:36
Nico brings a fresh batch of spicy literary takes to share with the pals.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
219- Dana Spiotta’s Stone Arabia
47:57
47:57
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
47:57
Next in our recommendation roulette of Secret Santa books, Aaron read Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta upon Dave's recommendation.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
218- Who is the Most Overrated Author?
12:50
12:50
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
12:50
The pals each share the name of the author they think is most overrated in reputation.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
That is the role of responsibility of fact in historical fiction? Is there a distinction between historical fiction and fiction in an historical setting?Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
216- Tommy Orange’s There There - Canon or Cannon 2.0
38:34
38:34
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
38:34
The pals read Tommy Orange's acclaimed 2018 novel There There and consider whether it should be canonized or launched into the sea.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
215- The Best Bookstores
21:22
21:22
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
21:22
The pals share the names and features of their favorite bookstores.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
214- Books Everyone Should Read
21:31
21:31
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
21:31
The pals each share three books they think everyone in the world would benefit from reading.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
213- What Makes a Story Compelling?
11:14
11:14
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
11:14
The pals discuss what about a story hooks them and makes them want to read more.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
212- Alan Moore’s From Hell
52:01
52:01
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
52:01
The next assignment in the pals' Secret Santa / Reading Roulette. Aaron assigns Nico to read Alan Moore's historical fiction Jack the Ripper comic opus From Hell. Bricks joins as well.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
211- Reading Resolutions for 2023
18:57
18:57
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
18:57
The pals share their reading goals for the coming year as well as introduce their new meta game: Brag Points.Door Aaron Block, David Duhr, Brick Road
…
continue reading