The Whole Catalogue is Here!
All our episodes reside below. The good, the bad, the ugly, all of it.
Enjoy!
Talking about the last year…also, “hell is the absence of god.”
EP. 06
It's a year in review episode but also we do a short story because that's what we doooo, baby.
It's been a great year for the show (and in basically no other way). We celebrate it in this episode by the giving of dubious gifts, reflecting on our favorite episodes of the year, and being slightly disrespectful to Jimmy Carter.
We also discuss Ted Chiang’s 2001 short story, "Hell is the Absence of God." We get sad and philosophical about it.
Depression (In Space!): Aniara, ft. Max Johansson
EP. 06
It's not just a poem, it an EPIC poem.
This week, the Shelfers take on Harry Martinson's 1956 Swedish, sci-fi epic, "Aniara." Joining them is Max Johansson, who will be considered our pod's official Sweden expert from here on out.
Proletarian literature, running away from your problems, existential despair, quibbling over translations, nuclear apocalypse!!! This one's got it all.
Want more of Max? Well, you'll need to speak Swedish, but if you do, go and check out his podcast, Brodrafolkens! You can also follow him on Instagram @maxjohkna.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is us blasting off.
Dude, Where’s My Reich?: Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas
EP. 06
Let's get into the savage heart of the American dream, shall we?
Join us as we visit Hunter S. Thompson's pocket dimension version of Las Vegas in his 1971 work of gonzo journalism, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
Hear us praise the writing, be moved by the characters, and get really pissed at the author.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art self is my proposed new cover for the novel
Every Young Man’s Saddle: Every Young Man’s Battle, Ft. Josh Boerman
EP. 06
Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.
Worst of All Possible Worlds’ Josh Boerman, veteran of both the Socialist Shelf and the battle every young man must face, join us as we take on the villainous Arterburn M Stephen and the downright freaky Fred Stoeker’s 2002, sexual purity self-help book, “Every Young Man’s Battle”
If you’ve ever wanted to face the intersection of evangelical sexual oppression and the New Right down while laughing about sumo wrestlers and stallions, this is your episode.
Disclaimer: the ideas spouted in this book are really gross, downright heinous. Please keep that in mind as you listen, and feel free to skip this one if the discussion makes you too uncomfortable.
More Josh Boerman/Worst of All Possible Worlds: https://www.worstpossible.world/ and @Bosh.Worstpossible.World on Bluesky.
Episode art is Fred Stoeker's Instagram feed. He's joined by a few cool folks who are just driving by.
See Description for Title: Percy Jackson
EP. 06
Title: "Luke Castellan and the Heroic Kronosian People's Front's Noble and Correct War Against the Poseidonist Running Dog Known as Percy JacKKK$on and the Imperialist, Westernist Pigs at KKKamp Halfblood, Including the Reactionary and Hyper-Consumptivist Diony$u$ and the Liberal Moralist Annabeth Cha$e, Who Represent Scant Resistance to the Titanic Proletarian-Peasant-Monster Aligned Forces of the People's Army of Tartarus."
Today the Shelfers are discussing the 2005 novel, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief," the first installment in Rick Riordan's YA Fantasy series that started as a bedtime story and became a mega-franchise.
To be honest, the politics in this one are pretty limited. Jacob just really likes this book. We still think it's a good episode though!
Oh yeah, apologies on the audio. We recorded in Lenore's basement and apparently her AC is counter-revolutionary.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is from the graphic novel but Lenore is a sword.
13 Seasons Why: The 5th Season
EP. 06
We went and ended the whole world this time.
This week, the Shelfers unleash the powers of the Evil Earth with N.K. Jemisin 2015 fantasy hit, "The Fifth Season."
We talk discrimination against earthbenders, repressed sexuality, and second-person narratives. Not necessarily in that order.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is my take on a fault line.
Maker? I Hardly Know Her: Marks, ft. Max Graves
EP. 06
It's time to do some serious 3D Printing.
The Shelfers are joined by comic artist and internet expert, Max Graves, to discuss Cory Doctorow's 2009, near-future sci-fi, "Makers." Together, we discuss what Doctorow got really right, what he got really wrong, and a bunch of stuff that's just plain confusing.
Do you like cheap plastic? Fad diets? Disney World mercenaries? I hope not, because we go hard against these things.
You can and should check out Max's phenomenal webcomic, "What Happens Next" here.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art from "Makers" cover (mildly tweaked.)256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art from the ROTK's cover.
Return of the King, ft. Aysha U. Farah
EP. 06
The epic saga comes to a close...
This week we finish our Tolkien series with Return of the King...but the king's not the only one returning! Alongside us is the triple-guest, Aysha U. Farah!
We're talking elves, we're talking gollums, we're talking sad homecomings and magic swords. You already knowwww!
You can find Aysha's work at her website, here: https://www.ayshaufarah.com/, or follow her on Twitter or Bluesky at @ayshaufarah.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art from the ROTK's cover.
Tol-Ken Penders: Sonic Comics, ft. Wiispywitch
EP. 06
No, it doesn't make sense that we did an episode on the Sonic Archie Comics...but it'll be fine. We had fun.
To get into the wild world of Sonic comics, we bring on Wiispywitch, AKA Tay, AKA creator of the iconic (to us) Socialist Shelf art. Between her passion, Ryan's expertise, and the shadow of "The President is Missing" hounding everything we do, this is a fun one.
Check out Wiispywitch's art and other projects here.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is from the comics with slight edits. Please don't sue us, Ken.
Human Boyg Guy: Peer Gynt, Ft. Brian Alford
EP. 06
It's time to jump off a cliff, seduce a troll, and get turned into a button.
This week, we're talking about Henrik Ibsen's 1867 play, "Peer Gynt," an absolutely crazy ride of folklore, modernity's encroachment on tradition, good music, and Sphinxes with Berlin accents.
Brian Alford of "the Worst of All Possible Worlds" joins us to discuss this foundational piece of literature...but can any of us escape the terror of the Boyg?
Check out The Worst of All Possible Worlds! wherever you get your podcasts, and follow Brian on Insta @uninterestingbrian and on twitter @spocksbrian
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is us on a deer and we fell and that's why our clothes are dirty.
Comey Vs. The Mafia: Central Park West
EP. 06
Remember James Comey, the FBI Director who infuriated Democrats by reopening the Hillary Clinton email investigation just before the 2016 election, then became a liberal hero a year or so later because Trump fired him? Well, he wrote a novel. We read it.
"Central Park West" is a 2023 crime novel about the mafia, being a good mom, and using the full might of the U.S. government to crush your enemies. We get into its cliche-but-tolerable plot, and the terrifying implications that lie underneath.
Episode art is a perhaps-slightly-tweaked version of the novel's cover. Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,)
Tom Bomba-Devil: The Two Towers
EP. 06
Part 3 of our Tolkien series is HERE!
It's time for Ents, Wizards, Giant Spiders, and Ecological Catastrophe, because we're talking about J.R.R. Tolkien's, "The Two Towers."
Is this the most action-packed book of the trilogy? How did C.S. Lewis become a tree? How can we keep mind-control incels out of politics? Are Frodo and Sam gay (no...but actually?)
Episode art is a collab between me and Professor Tolkien.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,)
I’m Going to Jeff the Kill You: Creepypastas, ft. Rachel B
EP. 06
We're in our spooky era.
This week, we're talking about Creepypastas, that internet horror phenomenon that was the pride and joy of kids who "just didn't fit in" circa 2011. In particular, we focus on 2001's "Ted the Caver" and 2011's "Jeff the Killer."
Lenore is off stuck in a cave or being murdered by a Joker clone somewhere, so we're joined by our friend and expert horror-ologist, Rachel, who is here to keep Ryan and Jacob on the straight and narrow.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is from the original Ted the Caver story (plus a couple bonus Shelfers who happened to join him on his quest.)
In the Zone: Roadside Picnic
EP. 06
Join the shelfers as we enter The Zone and explore a classic work of Soviet sci-fi, the Strugatsky brothers' 1972 novel, "Roadside Picnic." Never heard of it? You may know the film adaptation, Tarkovsky's critically acclaimed 1979 movie, "Stalker."
Learn about this book's troubled publication history, hear Jacob get annoyed about thematic pieces not fitting just how he likes them, and ask yourself...why is this book set in Canada?
As we mention at the top of the episode, we need your help! The Claudia De la Cruz, Vote Socialist 2024 Campaign is in need of donations of any size. Donate here now! Like our show? Like socialism? Like both? We kindly ask that you donate.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is my favorite cover of this book.
Jacob and Lenore Yell at an Article
EP. 06
talk about this week's novel, so instead we read and...let's say critique...Adam Wren's "How Lord of the Rings Shaped JD Vance's Politics" for Politico.
You can read it here.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) Episode art is from the article itself for some Eru-forsaken reason.
Revenge of the Vegans: Tender is the Flesh
EP. 06
That flesh do be tender.
The shelfers take on Augustina Bazterrica's 2017 horror novel (or cookbook if you're really weird I guess), "Tender is the Flesh." They're really out here eating people.
This is a book about justifying your place as a node in the extractive machine of capitalism, and as such it's pretty intense. We try not to over-dwell on the goriest bits, but this book does feature extreme violence as well as sexual assault and human trafficking. Please be warned that these things will be discussed
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is the cover art of the novel's English release
Just Dance Vance: Hillbilly Elegy
EP. 06
Yee...and I can't stress this enough...Haw
The Shelfers dive into VP hopeful, evil lawyer, and overgrown garden gnome J.D. Vance's 2016 memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy."
Does this book (and its 2020 film adaptation) answer all the questions about the Rust Belt and the white working class??? Uh. No.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is a selfie J.D. Vance took last night but he accidentally dropped his phone and just got his mouth in it perfectly centered somehow and then he texted it to us for some reason.
Highkey No Mouth, Lowkey Gotta Scream: I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream
EP. 06
A blast from the past...we've dug up an episode recorded several months ago. Why didn't we release it? Uhh...idk honestly.
Anyway! It's Harlan Ellison's work of sci-fi/horror, "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream."
Why on earth does this evil computer hate us so much??
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is original cover art.
I hate it when evil is born: Black, ft. Josh Boerman
EP. 06
It's a three-peat folks! They're calling him the three-peater!
Josh Boerman of the Worst of All Possible Worlds podcast is BACK to help the Shelfers crack Ted Dekker's 2004 evangelical fantasy novel, "Black: The Birth of Evil."
We examine the inherent weaknesses of the evangelical fiction author, figure out why Ted hates the French so much, ask bold questions about magical super-vaccines, and discuss the horrifying banality of a story set in paradise.
Oh also, we have some serious questions about why Ted based his stand-in character's love interest on his daughter. Yikes.
Interview with Ted by Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/show/579.Ted_Dekker
More Josh Boerman/Worst of All Possible Worlds: https://www.worstpossible.world/ and @BoshJ on Twitter
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is Ted looking kinda fresh tho.
Portrait Mode: The Picture of Dorian Gray
EP. 06
"A Picture of Doran GAY" was too low-hanging of fruit, but I did consider that as an episode title.
This week the Shelfers dive into the only novel Oscar Wilde ever wrote, 1891's "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Come for the Gothic horror, stay for the overt homosexuality.
We discuss Wilde's life, which is so exciting and tragic we *almost* forgive him for being a follower of Kropotkin rather than Marx. We talk about class in Victorian England, the politics of repressed desire, and those types of guys who use philosophy as an excuse to be a bad person.
Music by Solo Monk (@SoloMonk256 on Twitter, https://www.patreon.com/solomonkart,) episode art is Oscar in all his glory