Reads and Weeds

We were so excited to talk about this book AGAIN. It was a do over and there is just so much to discuss here we could do 2 more whole shows about it. Shelly, Jamie Lowell, Julie Barron, and Ana Gomulka thought we knew a lot about the history of cannabis and we learned soooo much more from this book. It is a well researched look at the legal, social, medical, political and artistic battles around the plant for the last few hundred years. I wish it was taught in high schools around our country. I can't imagine reading this and not being inspired to become an activist if you aren't already.

Author/Improvisor/super cooooool Scott Mooney is LIVE with us for a REDO of a show we did earlier in the year that didn't get saved somehow. Nathan, Libby and Chris join Shelly to discuss this 'New Adult Fantasy' and yes we talk about why that category exists. I brought a delicious brunch. It was a ridiculously beautiful day for late December in Michigan. For some reason we kept bringing up Ryan Seacrest. Loved this book and can't wait for the next one coming out in 2020!

Shelly decides to have a show even though the whole initial cast cancelled. Lisa Semerad shows up! Shelly finds Kristin Wagle and her puppy, Neptune, at the coffee shop and they join in too and the show is saved! They read excerpts from 'Whose Boat is this Boat?', 'The Encyclopedia of American Cooking', the Bible AND Shelly's notebook all while Neptune springs around with jingle bells on (that she picked out herself) licking our faces. Party.

Shelly, Shannon, and Colin hang out with the author of 'So People Say You're an Asshole' and have a blast. We might be the assholes. We have all dated and/or worked with assholes. Also I believe this was my first time hearing the phrase 'velvet brick' and I love it. AND-there is a new show coming out starring Edie Falco called 'Tommy' and this book is in the trailer! Woot. Reading this and using cannabis will likely help your relationships!!

Shelly has the pleasure of a one on one interview with the author of 'Beercans on the Side of the Road, the story of Henry the Hitchhiker.' Is Ken Wachsberger Henry? What is a 'puke in'? What made Henry hate Houston so much? Is Ken now living Henry's dream life? How did smoking weed change the course of Henry(Ken's) life? Did any of us make it home alive in the blizzard after taping this show? Why on this of all days did I not bring pie to the studio? Listen in for the answers to all these questions and MOOOOOOORE!!!!

Shelly and Kris are joined by Jamie Lowell and Shannon Halley to discuss Graham Hancock's 'Fingerprints of the Gods', mind blowing research rich dive that questions what we THINK we know about Ancient Civilizations and ourselves.

Shelly has the privilege of discussing the book 'Glimpse' one on one with the author Shannon Halley, who also happens to be a Reads and Weeds regular! Shannon reads excerpts and talks about the writing process and her writing buddy and self publishing and the power of doing things for your own damn reasons. Also I read a couple of silly tiny stories that I wrote for a novelty store. And she even chose great songs for this episode!

Shelly, Claire, Kris, and Shannon discuss Rebecca Solnit's truly hopeful book for activists in the trenches. In it, she hopes to inspire the radicals of today who find themselves hopeless by reminding us of the historical victories already won, and makes it personal by telling the every day individual stories that add up to significant shifts over time.

Shelly, Kris, Claire and Kelsey discuss Lily King's beautiful book Euphoria- Lily King’s nationally bestselling breakout novel of three young, gifted anthropologists of the ‘30’s caught in a passionate love triangle that threatens their bonds, their careers, and, ultimately, their lives. Inspired by events in the life of revolutionary anthropologist Margaret Mead, Euphoria is "dazzling ... suspenseful ... brilliant...an exhilarating novel.”—Boston Globe We also manage to talk about real estate, polyamory, and sing a little bit of 'We are the World'. We loved this book so much it almost made us angry.....in a good way.

Shelly, Kris, and Jesse talk about Musicking by Christopher Smalls. We play music. We talk about the symphony and the notes on the page and the community that is created in the space where music exists. We write a song begging for sponsors. We talk about our favorite concerts. Jesse plays the keytar and the melodica.

Shelly, Angie, and Amanda(first timer!) discuss The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner. The justice system is not fair, not that we didn't know that already. A very human story. We learned about women in prison. We showed each other tattoos on the break!

Shelly, Shannon, Claire, and Lisa discuss the amazing Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. We love her. We want to live by her words. Lisa Conine being on makes us feel smarter. NOT that Claire and Shannon and I aren't super smart. WE ARE. But Lisa classes the joint up. She's the real deal fighting the good fight. Also, we killed it with song choices on this one.

Shelly, Claire and Libbie discuss Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. We loved it. Read it. The historic first Hash Bash since legalization happened so YAY. We talked about ASMR-which is weird...but I had mints in my mouth so we got into it. It was awesome. Libbie hadn't even read the book and it didn't even matter, in case you were wondering.

Shelly, Angie, and Shannon have a ridiculously good time re hashing the warm and real hilarity of David Sedaris 'Calypso'. If you love him, you know how awesome it is. If not, read it and listen along.

Shelly, Kris, Shannon, and Angie talk about this fabulous memoir about the imimitable Fannie Davis and her 30 reign as a Detroit numbers queen. Intro/outro music Beachwood 4-5789 by the Marvelettes

Shelly, Kris, and Shannon talk about the short story by Wells Tower. What a great name, right?!?1 It's a great short story written in the SECOND PERSON(don't panic)about a boy becoming a man and how that looks in this one weird day in his life.

Shelly, Kris, Claire and Kara discuss Michael Pollan's book 'How to Change Your Mind' about the science of psychedelics. He covers the history of psychedelic research and intertwines it with his own personal experiences. We were moved and inspired. It is the time for a book like this. We were so grateful and affirmed by what he learned about how brilliantly he presents it. Intro/Outro music is Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by the Beatles.

Shelly, Martin, and Claire discuss Percival Everett's book 'I Am Not Sidney Poitier'. The book follows the life of Not Sidney Poitier, a young man with a fascinating life.......that may or may NOT be based on the characters that Sidney Poitier has played. You buy into the absurd immediately and if you hold on you'll learn lessons about race in America and fame. Funny. Riveting. Intro/Outro Music is Otis Redding 'The Glory of Love'.

It's Halloween. Shelly, Kris, Claire, and Lisa discuss Flannery O'Connor's dark short story 'A Good Man is Hard to Find'. Terrible things happen to a family on a very short road trip. I'm dressed like Tina Belcher from Bob's Burgers to lighten the mood but MAN this is a dark story. Intro/Outro Music is Surfjan Stevens' A Good Man is Hard to Find'.

Shelly, Kris and Lisa discuss the April Ayers Lawson short story. Michigan voted to legalize cannabis! Intentionally unnamed group of friends relate the trauma they are all going through. They are bound together, finding each other as their most vulnerable selves. The intro/outro song is 'Us' by Regina Spektor.

Shelly, Kris, and Marty discuss George Saunders' short story Tenth of December. Saunders was influenced by Raymond Carver, who wrote the last story we read. The narrative follows a young boy playing outside and an elderly dying man and how their paths cross. Saunders style of intentionally confusing the reader pulls us in. It is brilliant. I didn't see any of it coming.

Shelly, Kris, and Lauren discuss Jack London's classic 'The Call of the Wild'. It had been over a decade at least since I last read it. We all saw it so differently, which is is why book clubs are awesome. Man and beast and nature. The thin line between the civil and the savage. An era of American history. Buck going home. My experience altered by a recent profound experience of my own. Music at the top 'Hungry Like the Wolf' by Duran Duran AND wolf howling sounds!

Shelly, Marty and Kris discuss Raymond Carver's 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love'. On the previous episode. Kris informed us the that the title of Rob Bell's book was co opted from this well known short story. We are in agreement that it is a 'gut punch'. Much like the topic of God, when we talk about love, often the truth is that no one is talking about the same thing. Intro/Outro song-Loving You Is Easy Cause You're Beautiful by Minnie Ripperton(what an awesome name!)

Our first episode! I love reading, talking with my friends, and smoking weed. In our first episode I, along with Lauren, Kris, and Kristin, discuss Rob Bell's book What We Talk About When We Talk About God. Having recently read this one for my church book club, I wanted to hear how different it would be to discuss it with a non church crew. It was as fun and interesting as I thought it would be. We also figured out some technical difficulties with Todd. The music is Theo Katzman's 'I Feel Love'. Look him up! Both he and Rob Bell have been Michiganders at some point.(recently listened back to this and realized I called the station CBR instead of CRB-duhr!)