Turek Books Podcast

Comedian and writer Zach Pugh joins host Joshua Turek to discuss Moby Dick, Don Delillo, Denis Johnson, being attracted to grimey literatrue, The Fort Bragg Cartel and Chris Hedges, the need for pretentiousness to return to our society among other things. Get Joshua's new poetry book "Ugly Whimsy" out April 10th! Preorder first edition now! Originally recorded Jan 2026The Fort Bragg CartelMoby DickThe Failures of NonviolenceUnderworld by Don DelliloEmpire of Illusion by Chris HedgesEurope Central by William T VolmanRainbow Stories by William T VolmanJesus Son by Denis JohnsonDrag Your Plow Over the Bones of the DeadLong Live the Post Hornit by stephen king Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author and Comedian Amy Silverberg joins host Joshua Turek to discuss the reasons why we live creative lives, her love of books including her debut novel First Time Long Time, and Josh's impending fatherhood. Originally recorded 1/12/2026 Books Talked About Include:The Correspondent by Virginia Evans100 years of solitude by marqueza visit from the goon squad by jennifer eganA Confederacy of Duncesdebt by david graebera peoples history of the united statesgrapes of wrathSo far gone by jess walterFlesh by David ZalayBeauty Land by BurtinoRock Hawk by Robinson JeffersHeadshot by Rita BullwinkleMiddlemarch by George Elliott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author of "Beyond All Reasonable Doubt Jesus is Alive" Melissa Lozada-Oliva talks literary influences, books she's put down, and enjoying the act of reading before we're too old to see the pages anymore.Books Talked About Include:tana frenchLady Chatterly’s LoverDebt by David GraeberGrapes of WrathAutobiography of Macolm XSomebody Walks Over Your Grave by Marian EnriquezThe Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz ZafonThe Dispossessed by Ursula K Leguin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Filmmaker and actor David Hull (Crazy Ex) joins host Joshua Turek to discuss books about eels, wolves, the dust bowl, politics gone wrong and ketamine therapy.Recorded Dec 6, 2025Books Talked About Include:Slumberland, Sell Out, Tuff, White Boy Shuffle by Paul BeattyJames, Erasure, American Fiction, God’s Country by Percival EverettGrapes of Wrath, East of Eden by SteinbeckNotes From Underground - DostoevskyBook of Eels Patrick SphensonFrost Lines by Neil SheaThe CigaretteAmerican Dreamer by Henry WallaceA Kim Jong Il ProductionThe Wicker ManThe Day of the Locust Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Astrologer and Filmmaker Liz Vazquez joins host Joshua Turek to discuss books documenting our pressing issues and outer space and how they're all related. originally recorded January 26, 2026Books talked about includeTrickster makes the world by Lewis HydeShiver by Junji ItoWho I am and What I want by David ShimleyThe Problem with WorkCarceral CapitalismNechro Politics Achille MbembeA People’s History of the United States by Howard ZinnThe History of Forgetting by Norman KleinBecoming Human by Zakiyah Iman JacksonBlack shirts and reds by Michael ParentiInventing RealityAmerican Fascists by Chris HedgesLoaded by Roxanne Dunbar OrtizCosmos and Psyche by Richard TarnesAmerican Cosmic - Diana Walsh PasulkaThe Administration of Fear by Paul VerilioThe Information BombShambhala Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Lauren Lavin, of the upcoming essay collection "The Third Beat", joins host Joshua Turek to talk about books her friends and contemporaries have written, comics, zines, and the mutuality of creative relationships and how they've fostered her own journey as a writer.books talked about include:until it feels right - emily costagirl on girlHouse Next Door - Anne Rivers SiddonsComet Bus #57 by Aaron Comet BusI wish that there was something I could quitpopgun war - Ferrel DalrimpleGirl in the World - Caroline CashIt’s too late to say I’m sorry by Joey ComeauThe Girl Who Couldn’t Come - Joey ComeauStill Alive by LJ PempertonService by John TottenhamDouble Black Diamond by Miles Klee and Mads GobboLulu in Hollywood - Louise Brooks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Joshua Turek is joined by guest Brian Recker, author of the new book "Hell Bent" (How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love). They discuss the books Brian read while researching his own, which details redefining his own spirituality and Christian beliefs. Discussing masculinity and softening the world, the two detail their own unique paths toward similar conclusions.to sign up for Josh’s next Zoom weekend poetry workshop on Jan 18&19 check joshuaturek.comBooks Talked About Include:Debt by David GraeberHell Bent by Brian ReckerAdam’s Return by Richard RohrDietrich Bonhoeffer: A Spoke in the Wheel by Renate WindA Peoples History of the United States by Howard Zinnthe will to change bell hooks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political commentator Lily Eagla joins host Joshua Turek to discuss mutual aid, retraining the offline world back into your brain, and books that radicalized her.Sign up for Joshua's weekend Zoom Poetry workshop now for the Dec6&7 gathering!booksmutual aid by dean spadeAutobiography of Benvenuto CelliniThe Year of Living BiblicallyOur American Israel100 years was on palestine by rashid kalidithe autobiography of malcolm x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Larry Charles and host Joshua Turek talk SF and LA noir, science fiction grounded on Earth, Larry's new memoir Comedy Samurai . They talk personal growth, the transformative power of literature and how reading can serve as both a source of pleasure and a means of preserving sacred knowledge.for Josh's poetry books, they're on sale until the end of the year, signed copies available domestically at joshuaturek.comBooks Talked About Include:Jesus’ Son by Denis JohnsonCity of Night by John Reshycrime writers: edward bunker, jim thompson, david goodis, raymond chandler, dashiell hammetThe Woman Chase by Charles WIlifordThe Ripley Books by Patricia HighsmithIn a Lonely Place by Dorothy Hughes The Motel Life by Willy VlautenThe Stochastic Man by Robert SilverbergService by John TottenhamAblutions by Patrick DewittDays of the Locust by Nathaniel West  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Yasha Levine and Host Joshua Turek discuss everything from technofeudalism to pistachios.San Francisco! For tickets Nov 1 to see Yasha's new documentary at Roxie Theater with live Q&A hosted by Joshua Turek hereFor Josh's poetry books and his weekend Zoom workshop on Nov 8 & 9 visit his siteBooks Talked About IncludeSociety of the Spectacle - Guy DebordSurveillance Valley - Yasha LevineThe Image - Daniel BoorstijnNeil Postman - Amusing ourselves to deathRaven RockDead Cities - Mike DavisModeran - David BunchShadow of the torture - Gene WolfThe Dying Earth Series - Jack Vance sci fiCadillac DesertThe American GenocideThe End of th Myth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded remotely from Bad Animal Books in Santa Cruz, CA. Joshua Turek and Maddy Power Maddy shares her personal experience of losing her home and books in the Eaton Canyon Fire in Alta Dena and the two books she grabbed before evacuatingTo sign up to Joshua's Zoom Poetry Weekend Workshop visit joshuaturek.comBooks talked about include:Werener Herzog's Guide for the PerplexedAgnes Varda interviewsDavid Sedaris “Theft and Finding”bell hooks "The Will to Change" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a pit stop in Santa Cruz with family between dates on my comedy tour (Get your tickets to my San Diego show Friday and L.A., SF, Eureka, next week then Seattle and Portland) before heading up the west coast. I get into a little of what I'm reading, my favorite bookstores so far on this trip, and why I took this podcast off of Spotify (hint they're evil). Come to my shows if I'm in your city!All my shows7/11 San Diego7/16 L.A.7/18&19 SF7/20 Eureka7/25 Seattle8/15 Portland8/21-23 Boise8/27 Tulsa8/28 Kansas City8/29 New Orleans9/6 TucsonBooks Talked About:The Bell Jar - Sylvia PlathMeet Me in the BathroomPerfect Victims - Mohammed El KurdOur American Israel - Amy KaplanOne Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This - Omar El AkkadBlue Desert - Charles Bowden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Officially on my comedy tour across the United States during particularly distressing times. It took six nights and five days but the morning after my first headlining show at Rodney's in Manhattan I managed some time to visit the staple bookstore of NYC "The Strand". CHICAGO my show at Zanies is tonight! Tickets are getting low. You can use discout code TUREK10 for $15.75 tickets here. The rest of my tour is here with more dates and cities to come so follow my bandsintown to get notified for when I come to yours. Tour dates below.6/24 CHICAGO6/27 PHILADELPHIA6/29 DALLAS 7/11 SAN DIEGO7/16 L.A.7/18&19 SF7/20 EUREKA7/25 SEATTLE8/15 PORTLAND8/21-23 BOISE8/27 TULSA8/28 KANSAS CITY8/29 NEW ORLEANS9/6 TUCSON9/18 TAMPA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Cam George of Talking Talk Tuah now Talking Talk podcast discusses being mystified by Infinite Jest and encountering this red flag memed book with new eyes.Joshua's U.S. comedy tour starts this Saturday in New York City. That's Saturday night June 21 at Rodney's on the Upper Eastside. Followed by Chicago on Tuesday June 24 at Zanies. Philadelphia June 27. Dallas June 29 and more. Get tickets now! For all things Joshua Turek go to joshuaturek.comBooks Talked About Include:Infinite jestsound and the furyall the pretty horsesblood meridianlonesome doveconfederacy of dunceshunger gamesgirl with the dragon tattoo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catch Joshua on tour! New York City show is in two weeks at Rodney's on 6/21! Chicago at Zainies 6/24! Philly at Next in Line Comedy 6/27! And More....Just added New Orleans! Boise! Coming soon with more dates. Follow my Bandsintown to be notified! And order signed copies of my poetry bookEMT and Political Creator Hugo of Seize the Means Shirts talks reading 70 books a year with host Joshua Turek. Hard to stomach nonfiction and breezy science fiction.Books talked about includeautobiography of malcom xhow to hide an empirejakarta methodassadaThe word for world is forestthe poppy fieldsparable of the sowerparable of the talentsnaomi klein shock doctrineWashington BulletsKing Leopolds ghostCobalt Redthe rediscovery of americathe indigenous peoples history of the united statesblack against empiremanufacturing consentinventing realityfight like helluprising by haddixBraiding sweetgrass Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catch Joshua Turek on comedy tour this summer of 2025. To get notified of cities and dates follow his bandsintown and to buy signed copies of his new poetry book "Of Dumb Importance" on joshuaturek.comWriter and filmmaker Evgenia Kovda goes in depth with host Joshua Turek on sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick. Did this troubled man predict the future we are living in now or was he the architect of it for bad actors? Evgenia and Joshua discuss the writings of Dick as well as their own serendipitous interactions with each other in changing neighborhoods over the years as well as Josh's visit to her podcast with Yasha Levine "In Bed with the Russians". Check out Evgenia and Yasha's Substack it's a favorite of Turek Books! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh's sister musician and author Britt Warner brings books that make her miss L.A. and her own novella "Swimming with Horses".For tickets to Josh's Summer of Discontent Comedy Tour 2025 click here and to get a signed copy of the new poetry book "Of Dumb Importance" click here international friends who want to pay normal shipping for the book can get it hereBooks talked about include:Swimming with horses: Britt WarnerSlow Days and Fast Company : Eve BabitzDidion vs Babitz bookOf Dumb Importance by Joshua TurekJames Gandolfini Bio : Jason Bailey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian and producer of Chatterbox comedy, Steve Hernandez, talks books about rich men seducing young women, polyamory, his own experiences with fatherhood, open relationships, comedy, and navigating his passions toward the shrinking prizes of industry. For even more on Steve check him out hereJoshua Turek is going on a 2025 summer comedy tour! New York City is first on June 21! Chicago, Philly, Dallas, San Diego, L.A., Eureka, Portland, Seattle, Tulsa, Kansas City, with more dates soon! Follow for tickets and new dates on his bandsintown or to buy tickets directly on his web site where his new poetry book "Of Dumb Importance" should be out any second now and is available for pre-order!Books Talked About Include:Careless People by Sarah Wynn Williams fb tell all book My Life in Heavy Metal by Steve AlmondWild by Cheryl StrayedThe Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Janet HardyOpen by Rachel KrantzMore by Molly Roden WinterWriters and Lovers by Lily KingColumbine by Dave CullenZealot by Reza AslanThe Bible the book of James Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catch Joshua Turek on his comedy tour this summer! Tickets are up for shows in NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego, L.A., Eureka, Seattle, Portland, Kansas City with more dates and cities coming soon at joshuaturek.com . First 3 in each city to send proof of tickets to [email protected] get a free copy of Josh's new poetry book after the corresponding show!Musician and sign language interpreter Dominique Matelson joins host Joshua Turek to discuss the pleasures and pitfalls of fantasy and how books from I Spy to Clarice Lespecter have helped her integrate her well being and creativity. Check out Dominique here https://www.instagram.com/dominiquematelson/ also wait until the very end to hear the song of hers "When I Told a Lie" they reference at the beginning of the conversation (music video on YouTube).Books Talked About Include:Books talked about includeI SPY Fantasy/MysteryClarice lespecter’s Complete StoriesNo One Belongs Here More Than You Miranda JulyAll Fours Miranda JulyCrime and PunishmentConfederacy of DuncesDunce Mary RuefleAlex’s journal Alex Cleo Rouboud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catch Joshua Turek on comedy tour this summer! Tickets are up for shows in NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego, L.A., Seattle, Portland, Kansas City with more dates and cities coming soon at joshuaturek.comAuthor of "The Body is a Doorway", Sophie Strand talks with host Joshua Turek about her memoir, mycellial networks, books as guides to our psychic lives, and how both of them want to open bookstores. Check out Sophie's work here https://sophiestrand.com/Books talked about include:Plants in the imaginale realmUrsula Leguin The Language of the NightA Distant Mirror by Barbara TuchmanJoan of Arc by herself and her witnessesRed Rising Series by Pierce BrownLonesome Dove Larry McMurtryBooks by Larry Mcmurtrythe One Inside Sam ShepherdJoseph Campbell myth booksConfederacy of Dunces Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.