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Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
The Handmaid's Tale
Open Source
Stoicism
Marcus Aurelius
The Cathedral and the Bazaar
Open Source Movement
Margaret Atwood
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Death
Dystopian Literature
Totalitarianism
Feminism
Moral Dilemmas In War
Philosophy
Hedge Funds
Socialism
Meditations
Closed Source
Lila: an Inquiry Into Morals
Versace

Hey we are the Mere Mortals and we review books of all genres/styles but with an emphasis on those that have stood the test of time (the 'classics' if you will). Join us on Weekly live episode on Thurs 11am AEST (Thurs 1am UTC+0) plus bonus episodes from my cohost Juan.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes387Founded5 years ago
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Self-ImprovementEducation

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Key Facts

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Hosts

Juan
Co-host known for delivering engaging book reviews, often reflecting on the themes and personal connections to the literature.
Kyren
Co-host noted for his insightful commentary and humor, enhancing the book review experience with philosophical reflections and personal anecdotes.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 45 ratings
  • Great reviews

    I have “A Farewell to Arms” sitting on my bookshelf right now and listening to Kyrin talk about it clarified my decision as to whether I should actually pick it up. These reviews are great. The Aussie accent certainly doesn’t hurt!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aliciakenworthy
    United States5 years ago
  • Check here first

    I love reading. But there are only so many hours in the day, and I can't read everything that has ever been published. MM is doing a great job of reviewing the books which are actually worth reading.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sixty-niner
    Australia5 years ago
  • The quickie I always wanted!

    First and foremost, Kyrin and Juan have a knack for making book reviews exciting and fun, something I would’ve never thought to be so entertaining.

    As a light reader, it’s hard to come across a good book or recommendation when the options are endless. However, the way this is put together takes me on a short journey without giving away the context of the literature.

    Keep it coming boys! This flesh ape is waiting for more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aguirre_edd
    United States5 years ago
  • Practical and entertatining.

    Hats off to the Mere Mortals, taking the time to review some great books and share concepts within them, providing key takeaways and doing it while being entertaining.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shaun_coop
    Australia5 years ago
  • Diverse and Insightful!

    Great stuff from Mere Mortals with this book review podcast series. They touch on a real wide array of books and give some excellent insight and takeaways. Definitely one to get stuck into even if you aren’t a huge bibliophile

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caught My Ear Podcast
    Australia5 years ago
  • Passionate with plenty of comedic relief

    My favorite Aussie’s!!! Like myself, these guys have an intense appreciation for life and an unceasing curiosity about the world that surrounds us. Their passion is evident in every word they speak and a breath of fresh air in culture that gets overshadowed by likes and followers. Keep being different!

    P.S. // 10 out of 10 recommend to ANY college student!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Local Loner
    United States5 years ago
  • Great for book lovers!

    This is a fantastic podcast for book lovers that simply do not have enough time to get through all of the books you want to read! The guys do a great job covering each book in a very informative but still fun way. Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    YayHistory
    United States5 years ago
  • Mere mortals do it again!

    Great little summaries for me to decide if I should risk my time on a book. Thanks boys

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    trola04
    Australia5 years ago
  • Finally I don’t have to read that book

    This is a great show because I don’t have to actually read the book they are talking about because they give a in-depth exploration of the book while weaving current events into the mix. I learn a lot while laughing a lot more with them. I will recommend this to anyone that loves books and amazing Australian accents. Thanks again gents, cheers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Drew Da Genius
    United States5 years ago
  • My go to podcast for book reviews and recaps 📚👍

    I enjoy listening to Kyrin or Juan’s take on a book that I’ve read myself —or learning about different books that I wouldn’t have otherwise known about! Juan’s review of superhuman by Dave Asprey was a recent favourite of mine – also looking forward to the future book review of Jordan Peterson 12 rules for life. 🧠💎💭

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackPlumley1
    Canada5 years ago
  • Must read more!

    I really don’t read enough, Kyrin and Juan’s awesome book reviews confirm this and inspire me to read more, both new books and to re-read my favourite books!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Justin Fox / ZEN Garage
    Australia5 years ago
  • Cookie Cutter - they are NOT!!

    If you like to read book reviews, be assured that you've never read book reviews like those presented by Juan and Kyrin at Mere Mortals Book Reviews. They not be professional critics, but that's exactly what makes their reviews so interesting. The two guys have a style all of their own, which is unlike anything else out there. They have a way of luring you in with visuals, props and costumes, and a touch of silliness, but it never takes away from the quality of the reviews. These guys are deep i... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Apple_for_the_Teacher_Podcast
    Australia5 years ago
  • Good Bye To All That by Robert Graves

    First off, one of the things I really enjoyed about listening to this review was that it was long enough to give me a real sense of what the book is about and whether I'd like it.

    While also at the same time not going on so long as to feel that the review was dragging or that all the good parts had be spoiled for me. The latter is something I find quite often with reviews about media.

    I wouldn't normally consider picking up a book about war because, in my mind, I've seen all that on movies bef... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lo9327
    Australia5 years ago
  • Love this!

    We have been listening to Kyrin and Juan on their other podcast channel Mere Mortals for a while and we love them! This book review concept is so great! The guys opinions, humor and wit have always been amazing and does really well with these reviews. We’ve listened to several episodes so far and will be continuing on! Great job guys!

    -Katie and Jen-two girls

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KLovesJ&D
    United States5 years ago
  • A journey to follow

    Kyrin & Juan are on a remarkable journey of knowledge! I am hooked! So excited to see a podcast committed to book reviews, it gives me an insight into how they are acquiring, and improving upon their knowledge.

    I can’t wait to see how this podcast evolves!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JacquesMassie
    Australia5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The discussions provide insightful connections between the literature and contemporary life, enhancing the listening experience.
Many enjoy the light-hearted yet thoughtful exploration of complex themes, making the podcast accessible and enjoyable.
The hosts' dynamic and passion for literature resonates well with audiences, fostering a sense of community around shared interests.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and humorous book reviews that help them decide which books to read.

Chart Rankings

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

Top Self-Improvement Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Semiconductors Shape The World | Chip War (Chris Miller) BOOK REVIEW
Q: Does the book overstate the US decline?
I don't think so. He had some sections in here where he was talking about, you know, the actual percentages.
Semiconductors Shape The World | Chip War (Chris Miller) BOOK REVIEW
Q: Does it read like a spy novel?
Absolutely not. It is much drier than that.
Does Australia Deserve It's Prosperity? | The Lucky Country (Donald Horne) BOOK REVIEW
Q: Do the leaders of a country determine its fate?
In Australia, it's more that leaders are an indication of the sentiment of what perhaps people as a whole are feeling and that they don't really determine its fate.
God Grant Me My Independence | Common Sense (Thomas Paine) BOOK REVIEW
Q: Do you feel like Paine was biased in that view?
Kyrin suggests that while Paine had a bias based on his experiences in England, many people agreed with Paine's viewpoint, contributing to the American Revolution.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Mere Mortals Book Reviews

What is Mere Mortals Book Reviews about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content primarily revolves around engaging and thoughtful reviews of a diverse range of books, with a notable emphasis on classic literature. Each episode tends to explore various genres, examining themes, character development, and the relevance of these works to contemporary life. The hosts connect personal anecdotes with the narratives, making the discussions relatable and insightful. Unique features include the infusion of humor and personal reflections that make even the more analytical approaches entertaining. Additionally, listeners can expect a mix of deeper philosophical reflections alongside casual discussions, appealing to both avid readers and those who may not have time to read the books themselves.

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How many episodes of Mere Mortals Book Reviews are there?

Mere Mortals Book Reviews launched 5 years ago and published 387 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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