The Socialist Shelf

Mar 04 2025 86 ep. 92 mins 73
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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We Bring The Boom: When the Wind Blows, ft. Foxy Macchiato

Mar 04 2025 74 mins  
Have you ever considered that when a nuclear war happens your grandparents will die and it'll be really sad? No? Well this book is gonna make you consider that.This week, the Shelfers take on Raymond Briggs' 1982 graphic novel, "When the Wind Blows," an upsetting little tale about an old couple facing the apocalypse.We are joined by veteran of our Sonic episode an

Fools Settle Alchemist: The Alchemist, Ft. Kennedy Cooper

Feb 25 2025 102 mins  
What if the treasure was the friends we made along the way but also was very literally a whole lot of treasure?Join us as we travel to 1988 to discuss Paulo Coelho's global phenomenon of a novel, "The Alchemist."We are joined by Kennedy Cooper, host of the podcasts, "The Worst Week Yet" and "The Most Important Election of our Lives." We haven't

The First Groyper: Confessions of a Mask

Feb 17 2025 109 mins  
Our new website is live! Check out socialistshelf.com for all your Socialist Shelf needs.Today we enter the very gay, very violent, and very authoritarian mind of Yukio Mishima, aka the worst coup-plotter of all time, as we discuss his 1949 work, "Confessions of a Mask." This novel is harrowing at times, ridiculous at others. Absolutely relatable to anyone with closet exp

Kicked (To Death!): Liberation Day, ft. Tom Da Anime Sicko

Feb 11 2025 121 mins  
Have you ever thought, "Hey, why can't I have a guy strapped to my wall that will basically serve as a living large language model for me and my bored guests?" No? Well, we talk a lot about that concept anyway.This is our discussion of "Liberation Day," a 2022 short story collection from George Saunders. Joining us is confirmed genius, Tom from the Anime Sic

Forrest "Bram Stoker" Gump: Dracula, ft. Scoob

Feb 04 2025 143 mins  
It's time to talk about the quintessential vampire novel, Bram Stoker 1897 gothic horror, "Dracula." *Scary music plays, lightning flashes, we look very cool in an old castle* The Shelfers are joined by Scoob, Bluesky Elder, vampire expert, and longtime follower of the Count. Learn how Bram Stoker was the Forrest Gump of late 19th century literature as he stumbled his

Occupy Prescott, an Interview with Andy Boyd

Jan 27 2025 91 mins  
It's been a minute, but it's time for another famous Socialist Shelf interview!! We're delighted to feature Andy Boyd, a brilliant playwright and artist to talk about her play, "Occupy Prescott," a funny and thoughtful show about an Occupy Wall Street encampment in the much-smaller-than-Wall-Street Courthouse Square of Prescott Arizona. Purchase "Occupy P

Baby I Was Born To Walk: The Long Walk

Jan 21 2025 125 mins  
We walk. And walk. And waaaalk. Welcome to the twisted mind of Stephen King, AKA Richard Bachman, and his 1979 dystopian horror, "The Long Walk." What if America was bad? Like...even more bad. What if we had young men play sports that killed them...like killed them even more than the ones they do now. The Shelfers investigate. Fascism. Masculinity. Sexuality. Repetitive Writing.

Talking about the last year...also, "Hell is the Absence of God"

Jan 07 2025 112 mins  
It's a year in review episode but also we do a short story because that's what we doooo, baby.It's been a great year for the show (and in basically no other way). We celebrate it in this episode by the giving of dubious gifts, reflecting on our favorite episodes of the year, and being slightly disrespectful to Jimmy Carter.We also discuss Ted Chiang’s 2001 short story, "Hell is t

Depression (In Space!): Aniara, ft. Max Johansson

Dec 31 2024 134 mins  
It's not just a poem, it an EPIC poem. This week, the Shelfers take on Harry Martinson's 1956 Swedish, sci-fi epic, "Aniara." Joining them is Max Johansson, who will be considered our pod's official Sweden expert from here on out. Proletarian literature, running away from your problems, existential despair, quibbling over translations, nuclear apocalypse!!! This one's got it all. W

Dude, Where's My Reich? (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas)

Dec 26 2024 126 mins  
Let's get into the savage heart of the American dream, shall we? Join us as we visit Hunter S. Thompson's pocket dimension version of Las Vegas in his 1971 work of gonzo journalism, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Hear us praise the writing, be moved by the characters, and get really pissed at the author. Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, ⁠https://www.patreon.com/so