Portable Magic

Episode 18: What We've Been Reading in 2016

This episode, Emily and Kyle catch up on what they've been reading so far in 2016 – including a long-overdue discussion of Scott Hawkins' The Library of Mt Char. They also discuss several new fantasy novels, Kyle's cookbook addiction, Helen Ellis' hilarious new book of short stories, and the inspiration behind the Pringles potato chip guy. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 08:00: Smoke by Dan Vyleta 08:00 – 15:00: Shadow and Claw by Gene Wolfe 15:00 – 23:00: American Housewife by Helen Ellis 23:00 – 36:00: The Library at Mt. Char by Scott Hawkins 36:00 – 40:00: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab 40:00 – 47:00: Simple French Food by Richard Olney 47:00 – 55:00: Sunny's Nights: Lost and Found at a Bar on the Edge of the World by Tim Sultan What have you been reading so far in 2016? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

Episode 17: Finding the Motivation to Read (& Gift Recs!)

This episode, Emily and Kyle discuss how they find the time and motivation to read, even amongst all the other distractions of modern life. Plus, for the second year in a row, they provide a comprehensive gift list for all the last-second holiday shoppers out there. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 10:00: What We're Reading 10:00 – 40:00: Finding the Motivation to Read 40:00 – 1:00:00: Gift Recommendations! What Emily's Reading: The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson What Kyle's Reading: Slade House by David Mitchell 2666 by Roberto Bolaño The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski How do you find the time to read? Did you Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

Episode 16: Which Books Will Become Classics?

This episode, Emily and Kyle discuss which contemporary books will become classics. Along the way, they touch on Infinite Jest, Harry Potter, and many, many more. Plus, Kyle's been spending some time with Welcome to Night Vale and the newest encyclical from the Pope, while Emily's been immersed in Peter Clines' The Fold. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 16:00: What We're Reading 16:00 – 1:00:00: Contemporary books that will become classics What Emily's Reading: Twelve Kings in Sharakhai by Bradley Beaulieu Binti by Nnedi Okorafor The Fold by Peter Clines What Kyle's Reading: Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor Which books do you think will stand the test of time? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC!

Episode 15: Books We Read in High School

This episode, we take a trip back to our awkward high-school years to discuss what we read, what we didn't, and what stuck with us. Plus, quick thoughts on Kim Stanley Robinson's Aurora and Nicole Kornher-Stace's Archivist Wasp. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 16:00: What We're Reading 16:00 – 1:20:00: Books We Read in High School What Emily's Reading: Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire Faiths and Furies by Lauren Groff What Kyle's Reading: Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson Out on the Wire by Jessica Abel We also discussed classic books that were probably on your high-school reading list. What did you read in high school? What books or teachers did you love or loathe? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC. 

Episode Fourteen: Bill Bryson

This episode, we take a closer look at the bibliography of the amiable travel, science, and memoir writer Bill Bryson.  Plus, our quick thoughts on China Mieville, The Devil in the White City, and pop history vs. scholarly history. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 10:00: What We're Reading 10:00 – 53:00: Bill Bryson What Emily's Reading: Three Moments of an Explosion by China Mieville The Devil and the White City by Eric Larsen What Kyle's Reading: Cuba in Revolution: A History Since the 50s by Antonin Kapscia Bill Bryson Books We Discuss: The Lost Continent Notes from a Small Island In a Sunburned Country A Walk in the Woods I'm A Stranger Here Myself A Short History of Nearly Everything At Home: A Short History of Private Life One Summer: America 1927 Other Works Mentioned: The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell Gulp by Mary Roach The Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams We love hearing from readers! Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC.