A very special guest visits the studio with a Christmas treat: a look back at where this all began. Books discussed this week include a stunning new edition of Alice in Wonderland and a very fun, very twisted book for kids, as well as a new work from Richard Dawkins. Merry Christmas, everybody, and we’ll be back in the new year with new episodes brought to you, as always, by Audible.

The Book Club is back with a look at manly works of adventure fiction, spy thrillers, tales of assassins and more. Sponsored by Audible, folks, so check out www.audiblepodcast.com/bysr for a freebie. James Bond audio books are pretty cool.

Sometimes the most interesting elements of a country’s past are hidden in plain sight, forgotten, and not easily noticed. For instance, the stone boots from a statue of explorer Lasalle are the only piece remaining of an historic landmark on a windswept stretch of sand on the Texas gulf coast, as we learn in Philip Marchand’s excellent book Ghost Empire.

This week we hide a discussion of American history books in the middle of a show featuring a dog puppet. Also covered: Gordon Korman, Archie digests, Narnia, the Toronto meetup and more. Brought to you, as always, by Audible.

This week we dig into rock star biographies with a look at Life, the top-selling autobiography of Keith Richards, as well as the stories of some other famous rock stars. And then, of course, tangents occur. This is how it’s done. Sponsored by Audible, where the books do the talking so we don’t have to.

Our summer hiatus is almost over, listeners — the new Weather Station Studios is close to being finished, and eventually we hope to figure out where the microphone cables are buried in the pile of boxes down here. Honestly, it looks like that warehouse where they stashed the Ark of the Covenant, or at the very least, the back of IKEA. This episode, brought to you as always by Audible,  has Sarah in the studio for a talk about used books and why we love them. A note: This show was recorded on the cheap, using a Casio ghetto blaster that cost $7 at a yard sale. It has double-cassette awesomeness.

The Book Club returns for a fascinating discussion of books that have been adapted for the screen — a favourite topic here at Books You Should Read. You know how it is; sometimes it works (A Simple Plan, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Joy Luck Club, The Shining) and sometimes it doesn’t (Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins). Sometimes, a good book can become a good film even with major changes (The Bourne Identity). But as long as people keep writing books, Hollywood will keep mining them for stories. In fact, this episode is extra-long because of the number of possible films to discuss … and the Book Club barely scratched the surface. Brought you by Audible.

Just before we tuck you in for the night, we will read you a story.

We have Sarah back in the studio to explain why grownups like Harry Potter, followed by talk of other fantasy series and a look at the His Dark Materials books from Agustin in Ecuador. Brought to you by Audible.

This week we talk about two books exploring one of the most amazing stories of human survival of the 20th century. In 1972, a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes, high in the cordillera, with no food, no help and no way out. Their ordeal, their difficult choice and their determination made them heroes. You can read more about them at their official website here. Remember, Books You Should Read is sponsored by Audible.

The Book Club members went out to bend elbows for an evening and, as they do, got into an argument about modern philosophers. Gloria, Matthew and Tom (Zoe is on holiday) return to discuss religion, morality and rationality and the works of two of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. You’re in for a real treat here, folks. Oh, and Happy Easter.

Kennedy remembers when Leo DiCaprio was a wiseass kid on Growing Pains, which is also a confession that Kennedy knows who Kirk Cameron is. This episode of the podcast about books seems to actually be about how an actor has managed to bring some interesting historical stories to the screen, and there isn’t even any mention of Titanic. Thank us later. Brought to you this week by Audible, where you can download a free audiobook if you ask nicely.

Here’s an American horror/sci-fi/thriller/mystery writer whose books explore the supernatural hiding under us, with an action hero element to them. Never dull, the works of F. Paul Wilson challenge ideas about how series should be structured and offer us a unique central character, plenty of humour and a glimpse of Lovecraftian terror. This episode also features the return of Agustin Chancusi, talking about Wilbur Smith’s Eye of the Tiger, and a look at a certain jungle warrior we all know and love, but maybe not as much as we think. Brought to you, as always, by Audible.

A tremendous amount of research went into this episode. You can thank us later. Remember, this program is brought to you by Audible and fuelled by you, the listeners — join the forums, talk about books you love, and submit your reviews, written or audio. Email us at booksyoushouldread@simplysyndicated.com.

The Book Club members amp up the show’s IQ for this week’s look at the giants of Russian literature. Pay attention, because the final exam is worth half your eventual grade. Brought to you from Studio Leeds and presented, as always, by Audible.

This was recorded back in the fall, and thought lost, until we tunnelled through the wall of our cell to find it. (We covered the hole in the wall with a Will Tristram poster borrowed from the Hurdle Hut). You may not like the audio quality, but please remember that if you kvetch about it too much, we will send Randall Flagg to your house. This is a look at the works of Stephen King, from the ’70s to today, brought to you, as always, by Audible.

Let’s take a short trip to the bookstore for a look at what’s going on in the world of literary retail. We’ll also talk about books in the public domain, e-readers, the bankruptcy of Borders and Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze. Sponsored, as we are every week, by Audible.

This week we look back at the darkest hours of the 2oth century: the Holocaust and its effect on children, and the legacy of hope their stories left behind. First, Agustin is back with a review of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Then we hear from Laura, who talks about The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. As an added bonus, Ben weighs in with a look at The Finkler Question and we’ll talk about Maus, too. Brought to you, as always, by Audible.

One of the most well-known Christian apologists of the 20^th century was an Irish-born British writer named Clive Staples Lewis, better known as CS Lewis. From his Screwtape Letters to his manifesto, Mere Christianity, from Earth to Mars to Venus to Narnia to Charn, Lewis explored the way humans deal with good and evil, faith and redemption, in accessible ways that sold millions of copies and, in many cases, slipped under the postwar atheistic radar and taught people about faith processes before they even realized it. Join us as Josh explores the work of Lewis and Laura talks about one of his heirs apparent, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, as we cast a spell or two at Books You Should Read. Brought to you, as always, by Audible.

We’re joined by Matt to talk about the decision by an American book publisher to eliminate the N-word from Mark Twain’s classic novel, with input from the very engaging thread on this topic over there on the Simply Syndicated forums. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a bit of a sequel to Tom Sawyer, remains, to this day, an entertaining and adventurous tale, and is well worth seeking out … in its original form. We also take a tour of a social network for book lovers and attempt to finally talk to you about Stephen King. Brought to you by Audible . Remember, this show is your show; keep reading and keep reviewing. Written or recorded, your take on a favourite book is always welcome.

Here’s a special Christmas Day show featuring one of the best short stories ever written: O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. O. Henry was William Sidney Porter (1862-1910), a writer whose focus on twist endings would inspire successive generations of short story specialists (ie. Jeffrey Archer) who liked to wrap things up with a “whoah” moment. But O. Henry was also a sentimentalist, and on Christmas Day, we could all use a little simple sentiment.

Remember, if you’re in the U.S., you can pay a lot less than $1.87 for an audiobook; we can set you up with one for free. All you have to do is pay a visit to our sponsor, Audible.

The Book Club is back, reporting from Studio Leeds on the current state of what they call “chick lit,” which is, apparently, books aimed at women. Clive Cussler issued a terse “no comment.”

Remember that list of 100 classic books that was going around a few days ago? And remember how someone at the BBC claimed people likely hadn’t read more than six of the 100? And remember how outrage spread across Facebook, urging folks to prove the BBC wrong? Remember that? Well, it was probably bogus, some oddball Internet meme, but it still generated plenty of talk about books. This is BYSR’s response, brought to you, as always, by Audible.

We’re back in our Canadian studios for a quick look at seven books guaranteed to ensure the first time you bring someone home will also be the last time. Then Sarah Deeth stops in for a catch-up session on what we’ve been reading — including Room by Emma Donoghue, Edward Rutherfurd’s New York and Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel — and what we’ve got in the wings. Brought to you, as always, by Audible. And don’t forget to check out BYSR’s guest appearance on the latest episode of Horror Etc.

Here’s a new episode straight from Studio Leeds, featuring The Book Club, with Monica, Chandler, Rachel and Ross. It’s a look at British comic fiction, brought to you by Audible. I think I got their names wrong. — Kennedy

This week we look at Hannibal Lecter — not the movie version, but the Thomas Harris character, and the books in which he appears. Of course, we do talk about the films, but that’s inevitable, because we watch too many movies. There is also mention of Peter Straub’s A Dark Matter and a look at a book called Cold Earth, by Sarah Moss. And a nice chianti. Brought to you by Audible.

It’s a real grab bag this week … a grab bag full of blood and guts. We have listener mail, and you’ll hear from Starbase 66′s Rick Tetrault and the ever-dependable Steven Nystrom as we slash our way through Horror Month with a look at vampires, monsters and an oversexed dude called Bunny. Sponsored, as always, by Audible.

The first of our special October mini-series digs up the dark, dire world of horror fiction. We begin with a roundup chat about some of our favourite tales of terror — books you may not know, but may want to check out. Our creepy, malevolent ghouls Scary Sarah and Sinister Steve join Kreepy Kennedy to talk about what lurks in the small hours. If you haven’t already, go ahead and sign up for our frightening forums to discuss books and more right here at Simply Syndicated. Brought to you, as always, by Audible. Get your free Audiobook here.

“I feel bad about giving Harry Potter books to my nephew. It’s like shoving a burger into his face instead of a carrot.” This week, we return to the topic of children’s books, but we shift the focus away from teenaged detectives as the Book Club tackles the topic from a British perspective. You’ll hear from Matthew, Zoe, Tom and Gloria on this one. Yes, that Gloria. Expect to hear more from the Book Club in the future. This show was brought to you, as always, by Audible.

Maybe this has happened to you: someone urges a popular book on you, insisting you’ll love it. And you read it, and you don’t love it. This week, Sarah and Elizabeth join me to talk about bestsellers, hot books and why we seek out currently popular books — or avoid them. Steven Nystrom is along for the ride. It’s almost like a book club, except we don’t like book clubs. Warning: This podcast contains mention of Eat Pray Love. Books You Should Read is sponsored by Audible.com.

Which books did we love as kids? Which books should kids read now? Which of us still buys and reads old children’s books? You can probably guess the answer to that one. Sarah Deeth is back, and you’ll also hear from Greg Blanchard and Antony James as we talk about books and other cool stuff.

If at first you don’t succeed … pretend it never happened, and start over. This is called revisionist history, and it’s at the heart of a lot of attempts to ban books. And also why you probably think you saw this posting earlier, but now it’s different. Anyway, The new Books You Should Read continues to take shape as Kennedy welcomes Agustin Chancusi to the show; listen as two non-Americans talk about what may be the most American novel of the 20th century. Also, tune in for The Appendix, a segment focused on genre works, which makes its debut this week with a comics review from Charlie Pressley.

In the first episode of the revamped and relaunched Books You Should Read, we’re joined by some special guests for a look at the first novel in the late Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy. This leads to a discussion of translated works and includes reaction from journalists who read this story of a reporter on a mission, a decades-old mystery and a rather unusual young woman. Don’t forget to visit the forums to keep up to date with the books we’re reading … and, as always, weigh in with your reviews, either in audio or written form.

In this week’s show Admiral Marius of Starbase 66 reviews Frank Herbert’s Dune.

Books You Should Read is sponsored by Audible, and they’ve got a cracking copy of Dune on there. To download your free copy visit audiblepodcast.com/bysr.

Ian Pope reviews Fallen Dragon by Peter F Hamilton.

This week Brad Fonton reviews Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein.

Greg Blanchard reviews It’s Called Work For A Reason by Larry Winget.

Leslie Claussen reviews Slaugherhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. A post-modern anti-war science fiction novel dealing with a soldier’s experiences during World War 2 and his journeys with time travel.

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This week Kevin Archibald reviews The Godfather.

This week Allison Downing reads a review by Greg Blanchard of The Dame and the Komono.

Kennedy Gordon reviews The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum.