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So Many Damn Books

Christopher Hermelin
Literature
Holiday Gifts
Cocktails
So Many Damn Books
The Running Man
Mystery Lights
Literary Fiction
Stephen King
Short Stories
Supernatural Elements
Fantasy Literature
Book Recommendations
Sky Daddy
Airplanes
Young Adult Fiction
Buckeye
A Single Man
Dystopian Fiction
Fruit Of the Dead
Women In Fiction

A blessing, a curse, a podcast, since 2014. Christopher (@cdhermelin) invites folks to the Damn Library to talk about reading, literature, publishing, and trying to make it through the never-dwindling stack of things to read. All with a themed drink in hand. Recorded at the Damn Library in Brooklyn, NY. For show info, book lists, and drink recipes, follow @somanydamnbooks and visit somanydamnbooks... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes272Founded12 years ago
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BooksArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for So Many Damn Books

Latest Episodes

I found a book list I made on Facebook in September 2014. Right before this show started. I revisit the list, and then I make a new one. Lists are fun! Reading is fun! You, reading this right now: you are fun.

For the drink recipe, every book mentio... more

A list of short books, because life is short, and you need to make your reading goals.

(a sequel to the episode “22 Short Books”)

For the drink recipe, every book mentioned, and more, visit: www.somanydamnbooks.com/episodes/episode-261

Joi... more

Meg Richardson stops by the Damn Library for some kid wine (or is it adult Martinelli’s?) and book chatter. We get into whether she’s the Jackie or the Kayla, her time as a pawn shop employee, and the journey of this book through lots of different fo... more

Two-time Survivor contestant, cohost of the Survivor podcast We Know Survivor, as well as the literary podcast Paraphrase, Stephen Fishbach drops onto the island SMDB and brings along the swashbuckling spirit of his novel Escape! As you might expect... more

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Recent Guests

Meg Richardson
Writer, translator, and cartoonist; author of Paradise Pond
Episode: 260: Meg Richardson (PARADISE PAWN) & Curtis Sittenfeld's PREP
Stephen Fishbach
Survivor contestant, author, host of Survivor Know-it-all and Paraphrase
Author of Escape
Episode: 259: Stephen Fishbach (ESCAPE!) & William Golding's LORD OF THE FLIES
Ailsa Ross
Author of Hovel
Strange Light / Outside / Orion / The Guardian
Episode: 258: Ailsa Ross (HOVEL) & Jean Rhys' VOYAGE IN THE DARK
Casey Scieszka
Author of The Fountain; runs Spruceton Inn residency in the Catskills
Spruceton Inn
Episode: 256: Casey Scieszka (THE FOUNTAIN) & Natalie Babbitt's TUCK EVERLASTING
Drew Broussard
Emperor of Rough Draft Bookstore and Lit Hub contributor
Rough Draft Bookstore
Episode: 253: Drew Broussard Runs By (Stephen King's THE RUNNING MAN & Edgar Wright's THE RUNNING MAN)
Alix E. Harrow
Hugo Award-winning New York Times bestselling author
Episode: 251: Alix E. Harrow (THE EVERLASTING) & Nicola Griffith's MENEWOOD
Nicola Griffith
Author known for HILD and Meanwood
Episode: 251: Alix E. Harrow (THE EVERLASTING) & Nicola Griffith's MENEWOOD
Erin Somers
Reporter and news editor for Publunch, author of "The Ten Year Affair"
Publunch
Episode: 249: Erin Somers (THE TEN YEAR AFFAIR) & Susie Boyt's LOVED AND MISSED
Mona Awad
Author of Rouge, All's Well, Bunny, and Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl.
Syracuse University
Episode: 247: Mona Awad (WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY) & Kenneth Grahame's THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Host

Christopher Hermelin
Host of So Many Damn Books; co-creator of the Damn Library book-discussion format; frequent discussion of writing, publishing, and book culture.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 339 ratings
  • Best Book Podcast Out There for Writers!

    Christopher has the best book podcast out there for writers. It’s the only podcast I listen to regularly. He’s genuine and asks the most thoughtful, interesting questions about books with such care of the writers he features!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DaisyPop81
    United States6 months ago
  • Top Notch

    I look forward to every episode. The conversations are lively, smart, and the recommendations are out of this world! One of my favorite podcasts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sara C T
    United States2 years ago
  • One of the best!

    I love listen to interviews with authors I’ve never heard of and discovering new work! I will listen to every episode! Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cleighb
    United States3 years ago
  • Excellent!

    One of my favorite podcasts! I loved this show with two hosts and just as much with one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Plum_Crab
    United States3 years ago
  • Fun!

    This podcast has some solid bookish content and yet manages not to take itself too seriously. I have discovered some of my favorite reads through SMDB. The cocktail creations are intriguing, too. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ReadingMidwife
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many note the show's ability to surface lesser-known titles and authors.
Listeners praise the hosts' thoughtful, sensitive interviewing style.
Fans appreciate the warm, approachable vibe and cocktail-infused approach to book talk.
The discussions are described as deep but accessible, with engaging guest dynamics.

Top Books Podcasts

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Myths and Legends
Myths and LegendsJason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod
It Was A Book First
It Was A Book FirstIt Was A Book First

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

260: Meg Richardson (PARADISE PAWN) & Curtis Sittenfeld's PREP
Q: As a cartoonist, was there ever a version of Paradise Pond that was imagined as a graphic novel, and how did that influence your approach to the writing?
There was consideration of a graphic novel, which would have required more necklaces and watches in the visual world, but ultimately the word novel allowed the author to focus on voice and pacing while keeping room for visual cues like chapter heading illustrations.
260: Meg Richardson (PARADISE PAWN) & Curtis Sittenfeld's PREP
Q: What does Prep mean to you, and what made you want to suggest it as a companion read?
Prep is a propulsive, tightly structured novel about a 14-year-old girl at a prestigious prep school, and I admire how Curtis Sittenfeld uses each chapter almost as its own mini story under a larger arc, making it feel like a deeper, ongoing reflection on class, ambition, and identity.
260: Meg Richardson (PARADISE PAWN) & Curtis Sittenfeld's PREP
Q: I would love to get into the magic of your debut novel Paradise Pond. Can you tell the listeners who might not have encountered the book yet what it's about?
Paradise Pond centers on two 14-year-old girls, Jackie and Kayla, who work at a Florida pond shop over the summer as they navigate friendship, class differences, and the tricky steps toward growing up, with Jackie narrating and the story exploring their plans, tensions, and moral choices.
259: Stephen Fishbach (ESCAPE!) & William Golding's LORD OF THE FLIES
Q: Before we get too far though, can you tell the listeners who might not have encountered it yet what Escape is about?
Escape follows a 40-something has-been reality TV contestant who blows up his life to chase fame again, with two POVs: the former contestant Kent Duvall and producer Beck Berman, exploring ambition, ego, and the construction of narrative in a high-stakes media environment.
255: Lior Torenberg (JUST WATCH ME) & Rufi Thorpe's MARGO'S GOT MONEY TROUBLES
Q: How does Margo's Got Money Troubles function as a companion piece to Just Watch Me in terms of internet culture and monetization?
Both books interrogate how online life monetizes attention. While Just Watch Me centers on live streaming and audience dynamics, Margo's Got Money Troubles shifts to an OnlyFans framework, offering a parallel exploration of performative labor, data-driven decisions, and the ethics of monetizing personal life.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About So Many Damn Books

What is So Many Damn Books about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Forges a space where literature, publishing, and craft meet approachable conversation, often paired with themed drinks. Episodes commonly feature author interviews and deep dives into writing process, narrative techniques, and the marketplace, with occasional sidesteps into film, media, or pop culture references. A standout element is the blend of literary analysis with festive, cocktail-centered segments, creating a welcoming, book-club vibe that balances serious discussion with playful energy. This mix, along with a wide range of guest authors and editors, likely appeals to devoted readers who enjoy thoughtful recommendations, behind-the-scenes publishing insights, and richly human storytelling.

Noteworthy is the emphasis on accessibilit... more

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Which podcasts are similar to So Many Damn Books?

These podcasts share a similar audience with So Many Damn Books:

1. The Book Club Review
2. London Review Bookshop Podcast
3. The Stacks
4. Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books
5. Book Riot - The Podcast

How many episodes of So Many Damn Books are there?

So Many Damn Books launched 12 years ago and published 272 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 So Many Damn Books?

Recent guests on So Many Damn Books include:

1. Meg Richardson
2. Stephen Fishbach
3. Ailsa Ross
4. Casey Scieszka
5. Drew Broussard
6. Alix E. Harrow
7. Nicola Griffith
8. Erin Somers

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