The Socialist Shelf

Dec 03 2024 73 ep. 88 mins 57

The Socialist Shelf Podcast artwork

A podcast where we care about two things: good fiction and changing the world. From your favorite pseudointellectuals, Jacob Dallas-Main and Lenore Olson. Follow us on Twitter @SocialistShelf or shoot us an email at [email protected]

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13 Seasons Why: The 5th Season

Dec 03 2024 115 mins

We went and ended the whole world this time. This week, the Shelfers unleash the powers of the Evil Earth with N.K. Jemisin 2015 fantasy hit, "The Fifth Season." We talk discrimination against earthbenders, repressed sexuality, and second-person narratives. Not necessarily in that order. Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art

Maker? I Hardly Know Her: Makers, ft. Max Graves

Nov 18 2024 138 mins

It's time to do some serious 3D Printing. The Shelfers are joined by comic artist and internet expert, Max Graves, to discuss Cory Doctorow's 2009, near-future sci-fi, "Makers." Together, we discuss what Doctorow got really right, what he got really wrong, and a bunch of stuff that's just plain confusing. Do you like cheap plastic? Fad diets? Disney World mercenaries? I hope not, b

Return of the King, ft. Aysha U. Farah

Nov 11 2024 120 mins

The epic saga comes to a close... This week we finish our Tolkien series with Return of the King...but the king's not the only one returning! Alongside us is the triple-guest, Aysha U. Farah! We're talking elves, we're talking gollums, we're talking sad homecomings and magic swords. You already knowwww! You can find Aysha's work at her website, here: https://www.ayshaufarah.com/,

Tol-Ken Penders: Sonic Comics, ft. Wiispywitch

Oct 21 2024 127 mins

No, it doesn't make sense that we did an episode on the Sonic Archie Comics...but it'll be fine. We had fun. To get into the wild world of Sonic comics, we bring on Wiispywitch, AKA Tay, AKA creator of the iconic (to us) Socialist Shelf art. Between her passion, Ryan's expertise, and the shadow of "The President is Missing" hounding everything we do, this is a fun one. Check out

Human Boyg Guy: Peer Gynt, Ft. Brian Alford

Oct 08 2024 129 mins

It's time to jump off a cliff, seduce a troll, and get turned into a button. This week, we're talking about Henrik Ibsen's 1867 play, "Peer Gynt," an absolutely crazy ride of folklore, modernity's encroachment on tradition, good music, and Sphinxes with Berlin accents. Brian Alford of "the Worst of All Possible Worlds" joins us to discuss this foundational piece of literature...but

Comey Vs. the Mafia: Central Park West

Oct 01 2024 134 mins

Remember James Comey, the FBI Director who infuriated Democrats by reopening the Hillary Clinton email investigation just before the 2016 election, then became a liberal hero a year or so later because Trump fired him? Well, he wrote a novel. We read it. "Central Park West" is a 2023 crime novel about the mafia, being a good mom, and using the full might of the U.S. government to

Tom Bomba-Devil: The Two Towers

Sep 20 2024 138 mins

Part 3 of our Tolkien series is HERE! It's time for Ents, Wizards, Giant Spiders, and Ecological Catastrophe, because we're talking about J.R.R. Tolkien's, "The Two Towers." Is this the most action-packed book of the trilogy? How did C.S. Lewis become a tree? How can we keep mind-control incels out of politics? Are Frodo and Sam gay (no...but actually?) Epi

I'm going to Jeff the Kill you: Creepypastas, ft. Rachel B.

Sep 13 2024 89 mins

We're in our spooky era. This week, we're talking about Creepypastas, that internet horror phenomenon that was the pride and joy of kids who "just didn't fit in" circa 2011. In particular, we focus on 2001's "Ted the Caver" and 2011's "Jeff the Killer." Lenore is off stuck in a cave or being murdered by a Joker clone somewhere, so

In The Zone: Roadside Picnic

Sep 02 2024 108 mins

Join the shelfers as we enter The Zone and explore a classic work of Soviet sci-fi, the Strugatsky brothers' 1972 novel, "Roadside Picnic." Never heard of it? You may know the film adaptation, Tarkovsky's critically acclaimed 1979 movie, "Stalker." Learn about this book's troubled publication history, hear Jacob get annoyed about thematic pieces not

Jacob and Lenore Yell At An Article

Aug 25 2024 60 mins

Due to busy schedules and a mild back injury (explanations within) we didn't finish prep to talk about this week's novel, so instead we read and...let's say critique...Adam Wren's "How Lord of the Rings Shaped JD Vance's Politics" for Politico. You can read it here. Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) Ep