Rephonic
Artwork for If Books Could Kill
Donald Trump
Masculinity
Self-Help
Let Them Theory
Who Moved My Cheese
The 48 Laws Of Power
New York City
Steve Harvey
Mel Robbins
Organized Retail Crime
The Better Angels Of Our Nature
Mental Health
Public Health
Spencer Johnson
Political Punditry
Mark Manson
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving a F*ck
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
Self-Help Industry
Eric Adams

The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes122Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureNewsPolitics

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Artwork for If Books Could Kill

Latest Episodes

You know that book your friend recommended? The one that rigorously describes the science of trauma, de-stigmatizes abuse and promotes effective treatments? Well here’s the thing: It doesn't actually do that.

Thanks to Emi Nietfield, Keith Cox, Lisa... more

Peter and Michael discuss "Think And Grow Rich," the 1937 classic written by a lifelong fraudster who finds his final mark: You.

Where to find us: 

• Our Patreon

• Our merch!

• Peter's newsletter

• Peter's other podcast, 5-4

• Mike's other podcast,... more

In 2013, education reformers tried to help poor students the using the best tool at their disposal: The 16th most popular Ted Talk.

Special thanks to Marcus Credé! 

Where to find us: 

• Our Patreon

• Our merch!

• Peter's newsletter

• Peter's other... more

Peter went on Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase, to revisit a biohacking diet book for the boys.

Where to find us: 

• Our Patreon

• Our merch!

• Peter's newsletter

• Peter's other podcast, 5-4

• Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase

Sources: more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

Maintenance Phase
Maintenance PhaseAubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
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You're Wrong AboutSarah Marshall
5-4
5-4Prologue Projects
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In Bed With The RightAdrian Daub and Moira Donegan

Recent Guests

Emi Nietfield
Author of Acceptance, trauma memoir critic
Journalist and author
Episode: The Body Keeps The Score
Peter Shamshiri
Guest joining for crossover discussion; co-host from If Books Could Kill
If Books Could Kill / personal guest
Episode: CROSSOVER EVENT: Tim Ferriss’s "The 4-Hour Body"

Hosts

Peter
Co-host of the primary show; appears across many episodes; frequently discusses books, policy, and current events.
Michael
Co-host of the primary show; co-leads with Peter on book-focused critique and policy discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 30.7k ratings
  • Such a great listen!

    So entertaining and informative! Definitely saved me buying some books I would NOT have enjoyed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MeagAnnie
    Australia11 days ago
  • No

    I liked Michael well enough before this, and I love Peter’s other pod (5-4), so I immediately subscribed to this one when it came out. The episodes that debunked grifty books about relationships and making money were good listens, but they overestimate their ability to handle more serious material. Their jokes about what works or doesn’t for trauma survivors therapeutically was downright ignorant and frankly disgusting. Honestly, the way they mocked modalities that can and do help some people re... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    lenabr6
    United States14 days ago
  • Better than a ‘beverage center’

    Love when a new ep drops to get me through the work day. Equally fun and thought provoking whether the book they’re covering is a disaster or had some redeeming qualities. The love languages had some surprising twists!! It’s like audio cliffs notes for all those books in the zeitgeist that you can’t be bothered to sit down and read.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kate taylor design
    United States14 days ago
  • Thank you

    THANK YOU for covering van der Kolk. The Body Keeps the Score is worse than I even realized. PTSD treatment is already the wild west, and books like his make it even harder for people to figure out what effective treatment looks like.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    monravies
    United States14 days ago
  • .

    .

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    doubleguessing
    Canada15 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the rigorous debunking and thoughtful critique.
The hosts are sharp, funny, and genuinely insightful about books and politics.
Collabs with Aubrey Gordon are a highlight for many fans.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
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Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About If Books Could Kill

What is If Books Could Kill about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners tune in for witty, critical takes on airport bestseller nonfiction, with a strong emphasis on policy, politics, and culture. Episodes frequently dissect the ideas behind popular books, weigh empirical evidence, and push back against hype with rigorous—often humorous—analysis. The show stands out for its sharp banter between two hosts, occasional collaborations with guests from related spaces, and a penchant for connecting literary claims to real-world consequences, making it appealing to critically minded, policy- and culture-focused audiences.

Noteworthy strengths include a robust conversational dynamic, willingness to challenge established narratives, and a steady stream of book-centered but policy-aware discussions. The format... more

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How many listeners does If Books Could Kill get?

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Which podcasts are similar to If Books Could Kill?

These podcasts share a similar audience with If Books Could Kill:

1. Maintenance Phase
2. You're Wrong About
3. 5-4
4. In Bed With The Right
5. A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein

How many episodes of If Books Could Kill are there?

If Books Could Kill launched 4 years ago and published 122 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on If Books Could Kill?

Recent guests on If Books Could Kill include:

1. Emi Nietfield
2. Peter Shamshiri

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