The Buddies take a detour from sword and sorcery for their first nonfiction read in a while with Patrick Radden Keefe's "London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City, and a Family's Search for Truth." By the way, it’s ‘London Falling’ and not ‘London is Falling’ the Gerard Butler action movie, although the Buddies may have stated that as the title on multiple occasions. The Buddies got to talking about whether Zac Brettler deserves our sympathy or was just a 19-year-old con man who got in over his head, how the British government basically rolled out the red carpet for Russian oligarchs and then acted surprised when people started dying, and whether this whole story could have been wrapped up with a simple Google search. This one got a bit contentious (sorry we’re used to arguing about fiction, not real people). So, brush up on your shell company law, don your investigative hat, and join us we jump into the underground world of London (unfortunately we’re not talking Knockturn Alley from Harry Potter).

Intro (0:00-2:38)

Stock Up/Down (2:39-49:27)

Love/Hate (50:30-59:44)

Conclusion (59:45-1:02:42)

NEXT BOOK: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The Buddies close the book on Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy with "The Last Argument of Kings," the grim dark finale that answers the age-old question: what if the Manhattan Project was run by a thousand-year-old wizard who doesn't care if you live or die? The Buddies debate whether Jezal is just Vichy France with better PR, how to weaponize ‘biological control theory’ against your enemies, and if king sized beds are a misnomer. So sharpen your swords and Logan-isms, get ready to stand your ground one last time as the Buddies finish up the trilogy and say goodbye to the Bloody-Nine, Glokta, Ferro, Jezal, West, and Bayaz.

Intro (0:00-1:11)

Stock Up/Down (1:12-36:40)

Favorite Scene/Character (36:41-46:11)

Love/Hate (46:12-58:07)

Casting the Movie (58:08-1:02:16)

Conclusion (1:02:16-1:04:58)

NEXT BOOK: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

The Buddies return to Joe Abercrombie's grim dark world for "Before They Are Hanged," the second book in the First Law trilogy. The Buddies debate whether getting your face smashed in with a mace is the ultimate character development, how useless corporate leadership seminars actually are beneficial, and if chivalry is indeed not dead. So, bring your north man mentality, practice your nose-biting techniques, and join us and all our Buddies from last time: The Bloody-Nine, Bayaz, Jezal, Ferro, Glokta and many more!

Intro (0:00-1:54)

Stock Up/Down (1:55-31:06)

Favorite Scene/Character (31:07-41:18)

Love/Hate (41:19-48:49)

Conclusion (48:50-52:22)

NEXT BOOK: Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie

The Buddies read the not-so-fiction feeling dystopian classic "1984" by George Orwell this week. The Buddies chat about the good life of being a Prole (drunk, happy, and blissfully ignorant), every day double-think, and how Gen Alpha speak and Newspeak are the same. So grab your victory gin, practice your doublethink, and join us for a pod that asks: would you rather be tortured with rats or buried alive with snakes?

Intro (0:00-1:36)

Stock Up/Down (1:37-32:16)

Favorite Scene/Character (32:17-34:15)

Love/Hate (34:16-44:27)

Listener Mail/Lingering Questions (44:28-49:43)

Conclusion (49:44-53:59)

NEXT BOOK: Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

The Buddies blast off for an emergency pod to discuss the 2026 film adaptation of Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary," starring Ryan Gosling as the loneliest, most attractive genius in space. The Buddies had read the book way back on episode 23, so this was a trip down memory lane. Much of their discussion centered around Gosling's character wardrobe choices, his likeability, and if him being unable to get a date is the most unrealistic part of a movie about alien rock spiders and sentient microbes eating the sun. They also got to their normal cadence of bringing up references to Austin Powers' unfreezing sequence, contemplating whether this is all a Total Recall scenario, and referencing a number other movie comparisons. So, ‘fist my bump,’ and join us for a podcast that promises to be as enjoyable as the movie (maybe).

Intro (0:00-1:50)

Stock Up/Down (1:51-28:49)

Favorite Scene (28:50-32:44)

Love/Hate (32:45-35:45)

Lingering Questions (35:46-39:10)

Conclusion (39:11-41:14)

NEXT BOOK: 1984 by George Orwell

The Buddies crack open David Sedaris's "Me Talk Pretty One Day," a collection of essays about his childhood, being an artist, and speaking French. Or as the Buddies characterized it, ‘Bohemian Bill Simmons without the basketball references.’ The Buddies navigate through stories about terrible dads, fancy French dinners, and the eternal struggle of learning adjectives in Paris while desperately missing going to the movies. They got to talking about judging people, the Walkman, and debate the merits of crystal meth addiction. Want a quick read, and fun book to open up while at your in-laws (or on the toilet), well look no further, join the Buddies as we also try and talk pretty one day.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-2:01)

Stock Up/Down (2:02-35:45)

Favorite Store (35:46-38:37)

Love/Hate/Reviews (38:38-46:22)

Conclusion (46:23-49:06)

NEXT BOOK: 1984 by George Orwell

The Buddies dive into Tana French's "The Searcher”, a book that proves the worst midlife crisis decision isn't buying a Ferrari, it's moving to a shack in rural Ireland to escape your problems. This one had all the elements of a Western noir transplanted to the Irish countryside. The Buddies got into discussing a few topics around cookie-stealing neighbors , what phrases start fights (add "Sunny Jim" to the list), living by a code (Omar from The Wire style), and if you should automatically assume a character a figment of the main characters imagination in any thriller. So pour yourself a nice Irish whisky, practice your Irish brogue, and join the other Buddies who cozy up by the fire to read The Searcher.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-3:36)

Stock Up/Down (3:37-30:17)

Favorite Scene/Character (30:18-35:27)

Love/Hate/Casting the Movie (35:28-43:06)

Conclusion (43:07-45:10)

NEXT BOOK: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

The Buddies dive into James Islington's ambitious sequel "The Strength of the Few" – a book that takes "go with the flow" to a whole new level when you lose an arm AND get transported to three different worlds simultaneously. This one had all the elements of a kick-ass sequel: distinct worlds, epic fantasy elements, and tea that makes broken legs feel like a light jog. The Buddies got to chatting about whether this was better than the first book, The Will of the Many, how chariot racing has never been relevant and still isn't, and insults that keep you up at night. So steep your tea, practice your one-armed spear fighting, and join us we immerse ourselves back into the (three) world(s) of The Strength of the Few.

Intro (0:00-2:21)

Stock Up/Down (2:22-36:28)

Favorite Scene/Character (36:29-42:40)

Love/Hate/Lingering Questions (42:41-54:39)

Conclusion (54:40-57:31)

NEXT BOOK: The Searcher by Tana French