The Whole Catalogue is Here!
All our episodes reside below. The good, the bad, the ugly, all of it.
Enjoy!
Episode 100: Cow Tools and Q&A
We did it, Shelfers. 100 EPISODES OF THE SOCIALIST SHELF!!
To honor this beautiful occasion we answer some questions from you, our glorious listeners, and then get into perhaps the our most complex work of literature to date, Gary Larson's 1982 comic, "Cow Tools." If you're not familiar with Cow Tools, take a quick look at it now.
Stay tuned during the outro to hear the kind of thing we have to edit out to make this show coherent.
We sincerely thank all listeners for joining us on this journey so far. Here's to 100 more!
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is Cow Tools plus some extra.
We Finally Talk About Movies: A Discussion With Resistance Cinema ATL
Don't worry, we're still a literature podcast, but we wanted to have our friends Jason and Ankita from Resistance Cinema ATL on the show to talk about their collective and the role of film (and art more generally) in revolutionary movements.
We've got a handful of links here, so bear with us (and click on all of them you know you want to).
Follow Resistance Cinema ATL here!
Check out Ankita's show, The Desi Gaze here!
Check out Jason's show, Cold War Cinema here!
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is the book's cover.
Terminal Article Brain: Abundance (Copy)
STOP COP CITY!
We are honored to be joined by Mariah Parker, editor and writer for the new collection, "No Cop City, No Cop World," a history, recounting, and analysis of the battle around the "Cop City" project in Atlanta's Weelaunee forest that led to global attention, severe local unrest, capitalist panic, and the state murder of a peaceful protester.
This interview is great, but it's no substitute for reading the book yourself. Get the book here!
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is the book's cover.
Terminal Article Brain: Abundance
Our 100th episode is coming up! If you’ve got any questions, comments, or wisecracks to share with the Shelfers, send them our way at “thesocialistshelf@gmail.com” We want to hear from you!
Now for the episode:
So, these guys Derek Thompson and Ezra Klein wrote a book about a new liberalism...a liberalism that builds. Everybody in the Democratic party seems really impressed by it, so we had to see what it was all about.
"Abundance" does not hold up.
In this episode we explore the imaginative limits of progressive capitalism, the obnoxious writing style of liberals, and the article brain pandemic.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is the book's cover plus a much-needed addition
The Myth of American Idealism, ft. Nathan J. Robinson
Step one:you're going to want to buy this book. Fortunately you can buy it here!
The Shelfers welcome Nathan J. Robinson, editor-in-chief on Current Affairs and co-author with Noam Chomsky of the book, "The Myth of American Idealism: How U.S. Foreign Policy Endangers the World".
We know the U.S. foreign policy is destructive, but just how destructive? What is the future of the U.S. empire? How does Donald Trump's brand of imperialism differ from the "respectable" foreign policy of the past? How have things changed since Chomsky wrote, "Manufacturing Consent"? What are the lessons of the Palestine movement, and how do we beat this monstrosity that is the U.S. empire? All this and more in this wide ranging conversation!
Once again, we encourage you to get the book and check out Current Affairs magazine!
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is the book cover.
The Future Where We Lose: The Fall of Cadia
In the grim darkness of the far future, Jacob has been banished to a desolate realm that knows naught but darkness and depravity, only inhabitable by the twisted creatures of the warp: Italy.
In his stead, join Lenore and our tireless, intrepid editor with creative control over the episode caption, Ryan, as they dive into the Black Library with Fall of Cadia by Robert Rath and universe of Warhammer 40,000.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart)
Harry Potter and the Petty Rant Against your Own Fanbase: Cursed Child, Ft. A.J. Ditty
Remember when bumbling Neville knocked over all the time turners? Wasn't that funny and quaint? That should have been the end of it, but all you bothersome Harry Potter fans who made the author unfathomably rich kept asking her about them. So guess what, Cedric's a fascist now. So there.
Join us as AJ from the Worst of All Possible Worlds (and of Puff fame, the much better wizard-themed play) helps us break down the Cursed Child, the bizarre stage play following the time-traveling adventures of the well-named son of Harry: Albus Severus Potter, and the only good character: Scorpius Malfoy.
If you haven't already, please check out the podcast about the pop culture of a dying empire, The Worst of All Possible Worlds co-hosted by AJ:
https://www.patreon.com/WorstOfAll
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart)
The City and The City, Ft. Rev LEft Radio
We take a break from our series on the wizarding world to talk about a book that definitely has no dementors in it: The City & The City by China Miéville.
We are honored to be joined by Breht O'Shea of the RevLeft Radio and Red Menace podcasts to discuss this work of political fiction about what would happen if you lived in a city where it would be a crime to mention the other city built directly next to it.
If you have not already, please check out Breht's fantastic library of work on all topics Marxist!
https://revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com/
https://redmenace.libsyn.com/
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart)
We Take Umbrage with Rowling: Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix, ft. Max Graves
It's Part 2 of our Harry Potter series. Are we having fun yet?
This week the Shelfers are joined by returning guest and brilliant web-comic creator, Max Graves, in discussing J.K. Rowling's 2003 fantasy novel, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" as well as the second half of the series, including its YA turn.
Rowling's finally getting POLITICAL! We have thoughts.
Read Max's comic, "What Happens Next," here!
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is us falling for Voldemort's trap
The Rise of Rowling: Harry Potter Pt1, ft. Aysha U. Farah
The Rowling miniseries begins.
The Shelfers and honorary Shelfer, Aysha U. Farah, hop on our broomsticks and zoom into the impossibly big world of Harry Potter, and whatever now-notorious bigot J.K. Rowling's whole deal is (Our working theory is that once you cross $100 million in net worth, no matter what you were like before, you lose your mind.)
In this episode, we talk Rowling's origins, the early days of the books, the conservative backlash to Harry Potter, and whether Harry and Draco are in fact gay (they are. We confirmed.)
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is us at Hogwarts of course.
The Whale Mind Virus: Moby Dick, Ft. Isaac BOa
Thar she blows!
This week, the shelfers unpack The Great American Novel: Herman Melville's 1851 epic, "Moby Dick."
Joining us is Isaac Boa, a writer, educator, and revolutionary organizer. Together, we're going to solve just what's going on with this whole whale situation.
You can find Isaac's writing here.
You can join the PSL Action Network Here.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is our first fan art poster!! Shout out to Em for real.
2 Parable 2 Talents: The Parable of the Talents
Octavia Butler Round 3
The Shelfers finish the Parable Duology and the hazardous life of Lauren Oya Olamina in Octavia Butler's 1998 masterpiece, "Parable of the Talents."
This book is an absolutely brilliant analysis of fascism and the powerful organizing that can arise in the face of it. Octavia is the best to ever do it. What else can we say?
CW: There is some discussion of sexual violence committed by the fascist forces in this book.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is a campaign poster I made for Jarret, who is just the worst.
The Gang Goes Progressive: Black Chamber
This is a bully good episode (am I using that term properly?)
This week, the shelfers check out S.M. Stirling's 2018 alternative history WWI novel, "Black Chamber." The premise? Teddy Roosevelt gets a third term as president, and this time he's Bernie Sanders in a cowboy hat.
We didn't dig this one. Jacob REALLY didn't dig this one.
If you're here, you should check out our website! Lenore's got a new essay up on The Shelf about S.M. Stirling, so read that here.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is from the book cover but also we're dying in nuclear fire.
We Bring The Boom: When The Wind Blows, Ft. Foxy Macchiato
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 and artist behind the Socialist Shelf pod art, Tay, AKA Foxy Macchiato.
This is a short one, but that also means you have no excuse not to listen to the whole thing. In fact, you have to listen to it several times through.
Check out Tay's art, YouTube, and other content here!
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is from the book cover but also we're dying in nuclear fire.
Fools Settle Alchemist: The Alchemist, Ft. Kennedy Cooper
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 been able to confirm whether or not they are a real life alchemist, but we have our suspicions...
What is it about this book that drove people so wild? Is "Live, Laugh, Love" always a bad thing? Why is Melchizedek here?
Check Out The Most Important Election of Our Lives
Follow Kennedy on Bluesky @kennedytcooper.bsky.social
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is from "The Alchemist" graphic novel and also we're there and some emojis too.
The First Groyper: Confessions of a Mask
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 experience in one moment, and the next he's talking like a return to tradition adult Catholic convert guy with a Greek statue profile picture.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is Mishima's ideal society.
Kicked (To Death!): Liberation Day, ft. Tom Da Anime Sicko
EP. 06
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 Sickos podcast. He likes Saunders, and now so do we. You'll find out why.
Themes in this episode: being obviously trapped but not knowing it, getting kicked to death in a theme park, and how even GOATs can be washed at times when they try to write about Donald Trump
Check out AnimeSickos here! If you listen, you'll also be a certified genius.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter,https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is kind of abstract but just go with it.
Forrest “Bram Stoker” Gump: Dracula, Ft. Scoob
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 way through a prolific but disappointing career that exploded following his death.
We ask such questions as...Is Dracula gay? (Yes.) Is Dracula racist? (Also yes.) Is Jonathan Harker a petite bourgeois reactionary? (100% yes.) Does Mina deserve better? (Yes, yes, yes.)
Check out Scoob's other passion (posting!) @scoobydouchebag.bsky.social
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is us doing the long walk (from the book's cover)
Occupy Prescott, An Interview with Andy Boyd
EP. 06
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 Prescott" here!
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is from the cover of "Occupy Prescott."
Baby I was Born to Walk: The Long Walk
EP. 06
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. We get into it all.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is us doing the long walk (from the book's cover)