Episode · The Rich Roll Podcast · 2025-08-18
Books mentioned on Addiction, Celebrity, Public Shaming & Truth: The Performance Art of James Frey, Celebrated Writer of Ill-Repute
James Frey is the author of "A Million Little Pieces," a book that spoke to the deepest, darkest parts of countless readers in early recovery. This conversation explores his journey to become literature's bad boy, his heroes like Baudelaire and Henry Miller, and his philosophy of "prowling with the panther.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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A million little pieces
A million little pieces is a memoir by James Frey that chronicles his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.
Discussed“I just want to say at the start that, you know, I read A Million Little Pieces when it came out, 2003.”
Where to get it
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Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller is a landmark autobiographical novel renowned for its raw, unfiltered depiction of bohemian life in Paris and its boundary-pushing approach to sexuality and human experience.
Discussed“I mean the larger story is when I was 21 I read a book called Tropic of Cancer, right? And it it was by Henry Miller.”
Where to get it
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Paris Spleen
Paris Spleen by Charles Baudelaire is a collection of lyrical prose poems that capture the frantic, melancholy, and multifaceted atmosphere of nineteenth-century urban life in Paris.
Recommended“Go read Paris Spleen. It was published as [ __ ] poetry even though it's like a novel of short stories.”
Where to get it
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On the Road
On the Road by Jack Kerouac is a seminal Beat Generation novel that captures the restless spirit of mid-century American travel, hitchhiking, and self-discovery.
Discussed“There's an interesting parallel with Carowak where the original draft of On the Road had all the characters real names in it and they debated whether to publish it as fiction or non-fiction.”
Where to get it
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Hollywood Wives
Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins is a bestselling dramatic novel that explores the glamorous, scandalous, and cutthroat lives of powerful elites, celebrities, and industry players in Los Angeles.
Recommended“I had read a Jackie Collins book for a Hollywood guy. He's a buddy. He was thinking about adapting it. I loved it. After that, I Hollywood Wives. Hollywood Wives. It's [ __ ] great.”
Where to get it
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Bright Shiny Morning
Discussed“It was Bright Shiny Morning, a book about Los Angeles. The very first sentence of the book says, "Nothing in this book should be considered accurate or reliable."”
Where to get it
