The Trial Separation

Dave and Aaron have to have a talk. It’s a hard talk, but it’s a good one. Feel the randomness as we discuss:

  • The realities of our lives right now
  • If Grease 2 is the best sequel of all time (and why does Dave think the answer is yes)
  • The best horror writers (since we don’t read those books)
  • A Stranger Things and Lonesome Dove connection
  • Introducing kids to Nicolas Cage

A few of the books we mentioned

Sitting at the Top of the Christian Publishing World

Our friend Mary Wiley joins us this week for a chat about publishing, writing theology books for kids, why we need more books like Gentle and Lowly, and the time a group of people lost their minds when Dave told them about a little book she wrote.

A few of the books mentioned on today’s episode

Breaking Reading Slumps and Books that Keep Us Up At Night

This week we’re taking things easy and letting the Internet guide our discussion, with three questions from our friends over at Goodreads:

  • What’s the last book that busted a reading slump for you?
  • What was the last book you stayed up too late reading?
  • Is there a best time to read?

A few of the books we mentioned in this episode

Hemingway, Returning to Conference Bookstores, Canada’s Ken Burns

Nature may or may not be healing, folks, because I’m back on duty in an exhibit hall for TGC’s Women’s and National Conferences! But that didn’t me from taking a few minutes on a Friday afternoon to talk with Dave about what it’s like being back in exotic Indianapolis and to be around all the books after all this time.

Meanwhile, Dave woke up at 2 in the morning to watch Ken Burns’ Hemingway documentary and couldn’t wait to talk about it and to ask an important question: who is Canada’s Ken Burns?

A few of the books mentioned on this episode:

Sharing and supporting the show

  • Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to the show.
  • Give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram at @MalContentsPod
  • Be sure to use the Amazon affiliate links above to help us pay for the costs of producing and hosting the show.
  • Interested in sponsoring Table of (mal)Contents? Let’s talk via email or DM us on Twitter or Instagram.

Celebrating Beverly Clearly

The literary world lost another giant when Beverly Cleary died a couple of weeks before her 105th birthday. Listen in as we discuss her enduring legacy, some of the surprise books we didn’t realize she wrote, and a whole lot more.

A selection of Beverly Cleary’s books mentioned in this episode

But really, all her books are delightful.

A couple of other books we discuss

Sharing and supporting the show

  • Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to the show.
  • Give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram at @MalContentsPod
  • Be sure to use the Amazon affiliate links to help us out.
  • Interested in sponsoring Table of (mal)Contents? Let’s talk via email or DM us on Twitter or Instagram.

Special Announcements & Questionable Timing

A trend has emerged in recent years within Christian publishing circles: the book contract announcement photo. As it has evolved, it has taken on many different forms, beginning with the blurry contract corner and getting progressively more interesting as they go. Today we’re discussing several styles—what we like, what we don’t, and what we wish we’d see—along with me making a special announcement of my own.

But what is that announcement? You’ll have to listen to this special bonus episode to find out! (And keep a close watch on my social media accounts, too.)

Sharing and supporting the show

  • Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to the show.
  • Give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram at @MalContentsPod
  • Be sure to use the Amazon affiliate links above to help us pay for the costs of producing and hosting the show.
  • Interested in sponsoring Table of (mal)Contents? Let’s talk via email or DM us on Twitter or Instagram.

Mourning McMurtry

The literary world lost a legend last week when it was announced that Larry McMurtry, acclaimed author of Lonesome Dove, The Last Picture Show, and more than two dozen others, died at age 84. Listen in as we discuss what we know (and learn) about his work, and make plans to read one of his books together.

A selection of Larry McMurtry’s books mentioned on today’s episode

A couple of other books we discuss

Sharing and supporting the show

  • Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to the show.
  • Give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram at @MalContentsPod
  • Be sure to use the Amazon affiliate links above to help us pay for the costs of producing and hosting the show.
  • Interested in sponsoring Table of (mal)Contents? Let’s talk via email or DM us on Twitter or Instagram.

Identity Crisis-ish

Every organization, church, blog, and even podcast can succumb to mission drift if its identity is not continually being clarified. So today, much like Derek Zoolander did when he saw his reflection in a puddle, we’re getting a little introspective on the show and asking the question, “Who am I?” Listen in as we discuss:

  • What we’re really all about—and who are we really trying to be
  • Why our faith can’t not be a part of the show (even when we rarely discuss books connected to our faith)
  • Carrying conversations when we’re having a bad day
  • Dave’s thoughts as he’s finally reading A Man Called Ove

A few of the books mentioned on this episode:

Sharing and supporting the show

  • Leave a five-star rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to the show.
  • Give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram at @MalContentsPod
  • Be sure to use the Amazon affiliate links above to help us pay for the costs of producing and hosting the show.
  • Interested in sponsoring Table of (mal)Contents? Let’s talk via email or DM us on Twitter or Instagram.