Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2024-11-21
Books mentioned on 612. Is Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Its Most Valuable Asset?
The 166-year-old chain, which is fighting extinction, calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it’s also a big moneymaker.
Stephen Dubner discussed Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. Jeff Kinney discussed Harry Potter and Mom's Cancer by Brian Fies.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney is an internationally bestselling children's book series presented in the comedic format of a middle school student's journal, complete with humorous cartoons.
Discussed“and I'm the author of The dire of a Wimpy Kid series now for those who are children or have children who have read those books”
Where to get it
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Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a globally celebrated fantasy book series following a young wizard's epic struggle against the dark wizard Voldemort.
Discussed“at the time that I was writing Wimpy Kid I was reading Harry Potter which is about a boy who's an aspirational character he's heroic Greg isn't heroic”
Where to get it
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Mom's Cancer
Discussed“I heard about a guy who published a web comic called mom's cancer I talked to the editor at a booth”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Plugged The Wimpy Kid
“I'm an owner of an unlikely story bookstore in Plainville, Massachusetts, and I'm the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.”