logo
episode-header-image
May 2016
1h 7m

Ep 179 - 1Q84, by Haruki Murakami

HeadGum
About this episode
It's alternate universes, murderous plots, and ghostwritten novels all the way down this week—1Q84 is Andrew's first Haruki Murakami novel, and there's a lot of good stuff here even if the book could stand to shed a couple hundred pages. Come for the book talk, stick around for references to Highlights For Children, the Tostitos Bowl, and the usual nonsens ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
Ep 753 - You Are a Millionaire, by Jay Leibold (Choose Your Own Adventure #98)
Living in our age of elite impunity made us want to imagine what it must be like to have one million US dollars (approximately $2.6 million, when adjusted for inflation). Luckily, there's a book series that lets you choose to be anything you want to be, as long as what you want t ... Show More
1h 26m
May 29
The Sillymarillion Ep 02 - The Choices of Master Fëanor (J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion)
For this show-within-a-show, Craig and Andrew learned about the world of Middle-Earth by reading J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published legendarium THE SILMARILLION. This episode posted first for our Patreon supporters in July 2025. If you want to hear our current longread proje ... Show More
1h 7m
May 25
Ep 752 - Daisy Jones and The Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
In 2019, author Taylor Jenkins Reid released her sixth novel Daisy Jones & The Six, a fictional oral history of a Fleetwood Mac-esque 70s rock band. In May 2026, Andrew and Craig from Overdue recorded a podcast about the author, her novels, the themes and points of inspiration th ... Show More
1h 19m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2018
The Brilliant Firefly: Revolt Chapter 1
It's here! The thrilling conclusion of the saga of Jillian Jayes and The Brilliant Firefly! More chapters will be released later this week. Don't forget to listen to books one and two to get caught up! 
15m 10s
May 2024
The Wizard of Oz - Sneak Preview
Today we have a very special episode for you. Dan has adapted for audio the classic book The Wizard of Oz, and updated a little language for modern audiences. We're sharing the first 2 chapters with you here as a special sneak preview. If you want to hear chapter 3 and all the re ... Show More
22m 32s
Nov 2017
The Brilliant Firefly: Recoil Part 1
Book 2 of the Brilliant Firefly! We see the new normal after Jill's adventure in the armor, and the Scarlet King makes a move. If you haven't listened to Book 1, definitely do that first! This may be for a slightly older audience than other stories, typical of superhero comic boo ... Show More
21m 36s
Aug 2019
Ep 195: Wanted: book enthusiast at large
Today’s guest Mary Laura Philpott is an essayist, bookseller, and a big fan of memoirs of people living “everyday lives”. She certainly has experience with an interesting “everyday life” as a Book Enthusiast at Large—yes, that is her job title—for Parnassus Books in Nashville. An ... Show More
53m 16s
Sep 2020
Ep 249: Who would read the dictionary for fun? (we would)
An encounter with The Baby-Sitters Club #4 Mary Anne Saves the Day launched today's guest into a lifelong love of reading AND a special fondness for middle grade novels. Afoma Umesi is a freelance writer, editor, and children’s book blogger living in Nigeria. Anne has her work cu ... Show More
54m 38s
Mar 2018
Two of Everything
Mr. and Mrs. Haktak are farmers living a quiet life, until they discover a magical artifact in their garden. From the classic Chinese folk tale! Every episode ad-free for just $1 a month at patreon.com/stories 
15m 55s
Mar 2019
Ep 175: Your library called and they want their books back
Michelle Wilson has noticed a specific character type that is missing from her bookshelves... and she is on the hunt for more. She and Anne chat about characters age 50+ in possession of NO magical powers, yelling at characters who make terrible decisions, reading as broadly as p ... Show More
43m 27s
Mar 2021
Ep 276: Exquisite, evocative novels
Podcast producer and PhD student Sara Aeder always finds time for reading, thanks to audiobooks and a passion for turning the pages. She has a special fondness for books that explore the “exquisite pain of a teenage crush” and let her live vicariously through fictional drama, but ... Show More
48m 29s
Nov 2019
Ep 208: The underappreciated art of literary forgery
Charlie Lovett joins Anne to discuss the enduring power of not only stories but the books themselves, how books connect people of all ages, and of all times, how we can preserve literature for future generations, the joy of a book as a physical object, the art of literary forgery ... Show More
50m 4s
Nov 2020
Introducing Little Stories Everywhere
Each episode of Little Stories Everywhere will be the reading of a classic children’s book by Oscar-nominated actor Virginia Madsen and celebrated Native-American voice artist Robbie Daymond. And since it “tis the season” we are starting with A Merry Christmas, treasured tales of ... Show More
1m 35s