Podcast
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang book list: the books mentioned on the show
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Books from the latest episodes
Most recommended on Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
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The Meaning of Mariah Carey
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the hosts and guest Jenna Bush Hager discussed Mariah Carey's memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. The hosts reminisced about previously featuring the book in their podcast book club, praising it as a masterpiece of celebrity autobiography and highlighting how Carey openly connected her personal life stories to her music history.
Book club“we did Mariah for the meaning of Mariah Carey and just the way that she informs the stories with her voice.”
Where to get it
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The Artist's Way
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way was brought up by guest Chappell Roan, who shared that the book taught her how to protect her creativity and treat herself with gentleness. Additionally, Matt Rogers mentioned reading the book while discussing how early criticism can negatively impact a creative person's confidence.
Discussed“And like if you've read the artist's way like she talks all about like those first people who like snuff out that thing in you are devastating and it's going to take you a long time to get over it.”
Where to get it
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A walk to remember
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the book A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks came up in discussions with guests Adam Shankman and Mandy Moore. Shankman recounted that Moore attended an early meeting for the film adaptation carrying a copy of the book. Moore herself mentioned reading the Sparks novel because it was targeted to her age group, which convinced her that she had to take the role.
Discussed“She came to lunch at the Ivy for a meeting with me holding her copy of Walk to Remember the book. The book when she was 16, I guess 15, 16.”
Where to get it
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Election
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, co-host Matt Rogers discussed Tom Perrotta's novel Election across multiple episodes. Rogers mentioned that he read the novel after watching the film adaptation, and he later recommended Perrotta's work while discussing the author's sequel, Tracy Flick Can't Win, and its anticipated screen adaptation.
Discussed“Cuz I frequently returned to it and I watched it again after I read the novel.”
Where to get it
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Middlemarch
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, both Cynthia Erivo and Ben Platt discussed reading George Eliot's Middlemarch. Platt recounted how he was reading the book on the set of Wicked and noticed Erivo doing the exact same thing, leading Erivo to confirm to the hosts that she had indeed been reading Middlemarch on set.
Discussed“one final thing yes uh I was reading Middle March on set oh yes and I remember you got a copy I do you have a copy I haven't read yet I haven't I haven't finished it either I was going to ask you if you finished it”
Where to get it
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The Great Gatsby
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers discussed The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Fred Fordham on October 12, 2024, while ranking Jay Gatsby on their pop culture list, and the hosts playfully referenced characters from the novel on May 15, 2024.
Discussed“you know how everyone is supposed to read this book did you Matt I think you would really like it to be honest”
Where to get it
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To Kill a Mockingbird
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Jenna Bush Hager brought up To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee as an example of a frequently challenged book. In another episode, Matt Rogers mentioned the novel while discussing and ranking Harper Lee on the show's list.
Discussed“Why are we banning to kill a mockingb bird?”
Where to get it
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The Creative Habit
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers and another host recommended Twyla Tharp's book The Creative Habit. They highlighted it as a wonderful, inspiring book that continues to motivate dancers.
Recommended“and she wrote a wonderful book called The Creative habit which I encourage everyone to read”
Where to get it
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Marsha
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Tourmaline's book Marsha was discussed by Matt Rogers. Toward the end of the episode, Rogers introduced the guest's new book about Marsha P. Johnson and strongly recommended that listeners read it.
Discussed“Um yes, the book is Marca, the joy and defiance of Marcia P. Johnson.”
Where to get it
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Over the Influence
On the September 14, 2024 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang expressed their admiration for guest Joanna "JoJo" Levesque and strongly recommended her memoir, Over the Influence, to music fans. Levesque joined the conversation to discuss writing the book and expressed gratitude for the hosts' praise.
Recommended“I mean we we've just been so like enraptured by and impressed by the Memoir this is over the influence by our guest and if you are a music fan especially if you are a millennial music fan you have to have to read this”
Where to get it
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Trick Mirror
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers praised Jia Tolentino's book Trick Mirror and its audiobook version. Rogers recalled a specific line in the book about N.E. Schulman punching a girl in college, while the host expressed appreciation for Tolentino's urgency in communicating about pressing societal issues.
Discussed“Thank you for the way that you communicate, the way you write! The way that you write with importance! You write with urgency about the things that are plaguing society!”
Where to get it
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Gone Girl
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang in September 2025, guest Reese Witherspoon discussed reading the galley of Gillian Flynn's novel Gone Girl. Witherspoon shared that reading the book marked the beginning of her producing career and noted that the title played a foundational role in her trajectory as a producer.
Discussed“I read Wild and Gone Girl in Galleys.”
Where to get it
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The Cultural Significance of the Child Star
Guest Demi Lovato and host Matt Rogers discussed Lovato's documentary Child Star on Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. During the conversation, they talked about the vulnerabilities shared during the making of the project, childhood fame, and the effects that early television work had on individuals.
Discussed“It was in child star. It was in your It was in your You directed. It was like so charming.”
Where to get it
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The Exorcist
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Rachel Bloom discussed William Peter Blatty's book The Exorcist during the October 23, 2024 episode. Bloom shared that she read the novel for an eighth-grade book report while searching for dark humor and validation for the darkness she felt inside. She reflected that the book was completely inappropriate for a thirteen-year-old.
Discussed“I read The Exorcist for an eighth grade book report and I wrote about The Exorcist and that's a dark that's that book is not appropriate for a 13-year-old she [ __ ] herself with a crucifix”
Where to get it
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The Virgin Suicides (Bloomsbury Classic)
On an episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Aaron Jackson mentioned that he was reading Jeffrey Eugenides's novel The Virgin Suicides. He noted that he picked up the book to escape a reading slump and pointed out that he had not yet seen the film adaptation.
Discussed“I've been in a bad reading slump due to the the pr the I am almost done with the Virgin Suicides which I've never never seen the movie”
Where to get it
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All the Colors of the Dark: A Read with Jenna Pick
On the May 20, 2026 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Jenna Bush Hager recommended the book All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Hager stated that it was a standout selection, noting that it was only the second thriller she had chosen for her book pick list.
Recommended“It's the first thriller I've I'm only chosen two thrillers before. One is called All the Colors of the Dark, which is so good.”
Where to get it
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Animal Farm
George Orwell's Animal Farm was mentioned on Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang in August 2023. During the episode, Bowen Yang shared a different book recommendation titled Animal Joy, noting that it centered on the theme of laughter.
Recommended“You would love it, it's called Animal Joy and it's about laughter!”
Where to get it
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Animal Joy: A Book of Laughter and Resuscitation
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang in August 2023, featuring guest Sarah Squirm, Bowen Yang brought up Animal Joy: A Book of Laughter and Resuscitation by Nuar Alsadir. Yang mentioned the book while discussing topics related to laughter and the fear of empty spaces.
Recommended“it's called animal joy and it's it's about laughter and it's so”
Where to get it
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Bossypants
On the June 17, 2026 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled '"To Be Memed" (w/ Mindy Kaling),' guest Mindy Kaling brought up Tina Fey's memoir Bossypants. Kaling mentioned the book while discussing the challenges of writing funny celebrity essays, pointing to Fey's work as a prime example of a successful, joke-filled essay collection.
Recommended“And so I think like then you see a really good version of it like Bossy Pants and that thing is riddled with jokes.”
Where to get it
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Famesick
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers brought up Lena Dunham's memoir Famesick to praise it and discuss the insights it provides into the creative process.
Recommended“But then you read this wonderful book, Famesick, and you get a glimpse into the creative process.”
Where to get it
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Female Brando
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang in an episode from November 12, 2025, guest Sarah Paulson mentioned Jon Krampner's biography Female Brando. Paulson brought up the book about Kim Stanley while discussing her admiration for the actress.
Recommended“and there's a very great book called The Female Brando about Kim Stanley.”
Where to get it
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Love Warrior
On the June 28, 2023, episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang featuring guest Kelly Clarkson, the book "Love Warrior" by Glennon Doyle Melton came up. Clarkson suggested that every singer should experience a specific phase in their career akin to having a "Glennon Doyle era" or a "Love Warrior era."
Recommended“every singer should have a Glennon Doyle era should have like a Love Warrior era”
Where to get it
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Talking Book
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang in June 2025, Michelle Obama discussed Stevie Wonder's album "Talking Book". She recalled that her grandfather gave her the record for her birthday, describing it as a foundational cultural experience and a cherished memory from her youth.
Recommended“He gave me, for, it was one of my birthdays, he gave me Stevie Wonder's talking book. Talking book, the four songs in the key of life.”
Where to get it
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Times Square Red, Times Square Blue
On the May 14, 2025 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled “Turn Up The Volume” (w/ Tourmaline), Tourmaline brought up Samuel R. Delany's book Times Square Red, Times Square Blue. The book came up during a conversation discussing the history of Times Square, with Tourmaline asking if the hosts had read the work.
Recommended“And Samuel Delaney, I don't know if you've read like Times Square Red, Times Square Blue, right about it.”
Where to get it
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A Court of Thorns and Roses
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Carly Rae Jepsen brought up Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses during the Yumming My Yuck episode on September 9, 2026. Jepsen explained that she started reading the fantasy series because it contained all the ingredients she should theoretically enjoy, but ultimately noted that she was kicked out of her book club because she could not take the fairy wings seriously.
Discussed“You know what is thorns and roses? Oh, romantis. Okay. So, it has all the ingredients I should like totally”
Where to get it
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A Little Life
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, host Matt Rogers briefly mentioned Hanya Yanagihara's novel 'A Little Life'. Rogers noted that he still needed to finish reading the novel and described it as a notably difficult book to get through.
Discussed“That could be good; I still have to finish A Little Life. That’s a hard one!”
Where to get it
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All Fours
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Jennifer Lawrence brought up Miranda July's novel 'All Fours'. Lawrence mentioned the book while discussing the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, noting that she pictured one of the show's cast members as the main character of July's story.
Discussed“when I read um did you guys read all fours? No, it's not it's not for you. I it's it's that's just anybody who's read it. That's who I pictured as the main character. And and and I don't even know why I need to like say that.”
Where to get it
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And Then There Were None
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang (episode "The Iconic 400!", 2024-10-12), Matt Rogers brought up Agatha Christie's mystery novel And Then There Were None. He discussed the book's original controversial titles to humorously address Christie's ranking on their pop culture list.
Discussed“they're the original title for um and then there were none was 10 Little Indians and then the original title before that was 10 little n-words”
Where to get it
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Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
During an episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang featuring Jenna Bush Hager, the host and guest discussed Judy Blume's iconic novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Jenna Bush Hager spoke about the book in connection to her daughter, whose middle name is Margaret, sharing a personal anecdote about passing the book along to her.
Discussed“And honestly, even when when I Judy Bloom gave me Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, which is Mila's real name. I'm like, "Oh my god, I'm going to give that to Mila."”
Where to get it
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Baby Reindeer
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Bowen Yang brought up Richard Gadd's book Baby Reindeer during the May 15, 2024 episode titled Throw Up Ya Hands (w/ Taylor Tomlinson). Speaking in the context of dramatic stories drawn from personal experience, Yang discussed the book and its television adaptation, noting that it was catching on rapidly as a major Netflix project.
Discussed“baby reindeer was a very that's why it's so that's why it's catching on so Netflix Netflix this is a huge Netflix room today”
Where to get it
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Bad Mormon
On an episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers discussed Bad Mormon with guest Heather Gay. Rogers asked the author about her experience seeing the memoir rise onto the bestseller lists after its publication.
Discussed“What did that feel like when it when it not only when it came out but also like when Bad Mormon went on that bestseller list?”
Where to get it
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Beloved
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Jenna Bush Hager appeared in the May 20, 2026 episode titled More Like Read BY Jenna. During the interview, Bush Hager referenced Toni Morrison's novel Beloved while discussing the ongoing issue of library censorship.
Discussed“But you're taking Beloved by Tony Morrison out of our libraries.”
Where to get it
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Big Little Truths
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers mentioned buying the audiobook Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty, noting it as a sequel to Big Little Lies, though he admitted he had barely started listening to it.
Discussed“So, I bought Big Little Truths. What's that? Well, it's the sequel to Big Little Lies cuz you know there's going to be a a new season of Big Little Lies. That's right. And apparently it's like the kids are grown and you know I don't know what else. All I know I I didn't make it very far honestly.”
Where to get it
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Caller Unknown
On the May 20, 2026 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Jenna Bush Hager mentioned Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister. Hager brought up the novel as an upcoming book she intended to read for her book club.
Discussed“Wait, this new one I want to read. Caller Unknown. Yeah, Caller Unknown.”
Where to get it
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Dear America
During an episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled Drink Juice and Spill Tea featuring guest Rachel Bloom, the participants explored journaling as a self-care practice. In the conversation, Bloom referenced Susan Campbell Bartoletti's Dear America series, highlighting it as an example of youth journaling culture.
Discussed“It always says, 'Journal,' that's almost a thing you've been told from a young age–like the American Girl book and keeping of you is Dear America. Did you ever read this? Dear America?”
Where to get it
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Desperate living
On the May 13, 2026 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest John Waters talked about the release of his published screenplay books. Waters discussed how negative critical reception was utilized on the packaging of his books, specifically highlighting that the back cover featured a quote from the New York Times regarding Desperate Living by West Hampstead Housing Association, noting that Criterion was preparing a 4K release for it soon.
Discussed“when my screenplay books came out. But we did publish on the back. The only quote was from the New York Times for Desperate Living, which Criterion is putting out in 4K very soon.”
Where to get it
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East of Eden
On the October 9, 2026 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers discussed John Steinbeck's East of Eden. Rogers brought up the novel while reflecting on a television adaptation he attempted to watch, expressing his admiration for actress Zoe Kazan and her involvement in the project.
Discussed“So this actually reminds me of something I attempted to watch, which was East of Eden. Okay. So I'm just going to, I'm just going to, I'm just going to, first of all, I want to say this. I am a Zoe Kastan. I, I, I love Zoe Kazan. I am a Zoe Kastan. Like I've always like loved this”
Where to get it
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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Mariah Carey brought up Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos. Carey recalled watching a retrospective about Marilyn Monroe and the film during her youth, citing it as a formative influence.
Discussed“and so um it was at that point they were looking at Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”
Where to get it
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Girl, interrupted
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, D'Arcy Carden brought up Susanna Kaysen's book 'Girl, Interrupted'. Carden recalled reading the book when she was younger, noting that she used it for a high school monologue before it was adapted into a film and stage production.
Discussed“I had just read the book Girl Interrupted, which is now going to Broadway or on Broadway. Oh, wow. Interesting. It was just It was just a book. This is a book before the movie. It was just a book about a girl that went to a goddamn place where they make you feel.”
Where to get it
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Good Time Girl
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, in an episode featuring guest Heather Gay, Bowen Yang brought up Gay's second book, Good Time Girl. Yang praised the title as very sticky and memorable, noting that it stood out particularly because it appeared prominently in the first episode of the show.
Discussed“Like even we experience a degree of that, but it's like to have the books plural. Even Good Time Girl is a really sticky title. You can't forget it. Especially because of it popping up on the show, episode one.”
Where to get it
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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Songbook
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Seth Meyers discussed Elton John's album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Meyers mentioned purchasing the vinyl record of the album for his father as a gift and noted how surprisingly excited his father became.
Discussed“Elton John is one that like I got my dad the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road vinyl and he got really way more excited than I thought he would and it excited me how excited he was”
Where to get it
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang on May 15, 2024, Taylor Tomlinson brought up J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Tomlinson discussed reading the series for two years during her youth as a formative experience before her parents took the books away.
Discussed“well I read Harry Potter for like 2 years and then my dad took us to see the third one”
Where to get it
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Howl
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, John Waters discussed Allen Ginsberg and the Beat generation, mentioning the poem Howl while talking about a beatnik character named Padora in Harrisburg.
Discussed“Padora in Harrisburg is a beatnick and reads Howls and Alan Ginsburg was mad and I had he was pissed.”
Where to get it
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Interstellar
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Bowen Yang brought up Interstellar while discussing Anne Hathaway's performances and how often the project arises in conversation.
Discussed“Interstellar. M it feels like it keeps coming up like if like over the past like 6 months or so I keep hearing people being like actually have you watched that because it's great and she's one of the best parts of it”
Where to get it
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Kiss of the Spider Woman
On an episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled "The All-The-Things Program" (w/ Jennifer Lopez) released on October 8, 2025, Matt Rogers brought up Manuel Puig's novel Kiss of the Spider Woman. He discussed the deep themes of identity and humanity within the story, noting that the novel reminds readers how love, humanity, and a person's inner soul matter far more than their outer shell, background, or circumstances.
Discussed“And it shows us, it reminds us what Manuel Puig wrote in that novel back in the day reminds us that love and humanity and the soul of a person is much more important than the shell or their circumstances or where they grew up or what they are, right? Like that who they are inside is really the thing”
Where to get it
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Life
The book Life came up on Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang in November 2024. Guest Cynthia Erivo stated that she still needed to finish reading A Little Life, acknowledging its emotional intensity and noting that she had put off completing it for a long time.
Discussed“I still have to to finish a little life I have to oh that's a hard God I know it's hard I know it's hard and I and I've put it off for a really long time”
Where to get it
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Lost and Sound
During the March 19, 2025 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled '"Huge Fornicators" (w/ Cate Blanchett)', one of the hosts mentioned reading 'Lost and Sound' by Tobias Rapp. The host stated that they were using the book as research for an upcoming trip to Berlin, exploring themes related to the city's nightlife and budget travel.
Discussed“I'm we're reading a book now in the research um it's called Lost And Sound um you know the the the the beginnings of berine and the EasyJet set”
Where to get it
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Mémoires d'Hadrien
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, specifically in the episode Gas Me Up, Lil Bro! (w/ Joanna "JoJo" Levesque) from September 14, 2024, Marguerite Yourcenar's Mémoires d'Hadrien was touched upon. JoJo shared that she had been reading a variety of memoirs over the previous couple of years while considering writing her own.
Discussed“I was reading a lot of memoirs in the past couple of years when I was thinking about writing one.”
Where to get it
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Merrily We Roll Along
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang in November 2023, Stephen Sondheim's work 'Merrily We Roll Along' was mentioned by Matt, who remarked during the conversation that he had forgotten who wrote the book.
Discussed“I forgot who wrote the book!”
Where to get it
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Midnight Sun
On the January 28, 2026 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled '“Overqualified” (w/ Becca Ramos AKA Producer Becca!),' guest Becca Ramos brought up Stephenie Meyer's novel Midnight Sun. Ramos mentioned that she ordered the book during the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually read it, describing it as a mirror version of the original story.
Discussed“It was called Midnight Sun and it is a Sorry Larson. Wow. It's a mirror.”
Where to get it
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Mr Know-It-All
Matt Rogers on Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang mentioned bringing a physical copy of John Waters's book, Mr. Know-It-All, to the podcast to have it signed.
Discussed“I have Mr. Knowit All, which I bought in Boston. I have my hard copy with me.”
Where to get it
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Not That Kind of Girl
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Lena Dunham and Matt Rogers discussed her previous book, Not That Kind of Girl, with Dunham noting the difference in the time it took her to write different books.
Discussed“I mean, I wrote my first book in 8 months I wrote this book in 8 years which we also loved not that kind of girl. Thank you so much.”
Where to get it
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Notes on a Scandal
On the March 19, 2025 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled ""Huge Fornicators" (w/ Cate Blanchett)," Matt Rogers briefly mentioned reading a book for research while discussing various topics with the guests and co-host.
Discussed“we're reading a book now in the research um it's called Lost And Sound”
Where to get it
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On Brokeback Mountain
On Brokeback Mountain by Eric Patterson was brought up on Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang by guest Caleb Hearon. Hearon discussed Anne Hathaway's performance in the film adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, specifically highlighting a memorable scene involving a phone call.
Discussed“Ann's performance in of course everything but we can we do not talk enough getting married about what's that now getting married keep going keep going okay but let me let me raise you this her performance in Brokeback Mountain oh please her on the phone when she just goes she just makes a little noise hello it's called acting”
Where to get it
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Pachinko
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang on May 20, 2026, Jenna Bush Hager mentioned Min Jin Lee's book Pachinko. Hager brought up the title while reflecting on a conversation with the author about the profound impact of reading and how books made the author brave.
Discussed“I was with Men Jen, this author who I love who wrote Pachinko, and she told me, Menin Lee, she told me that books actually made her brave.”
Where to get it
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Rachel Getting Married
On an April 8, 2026 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled Animal Style with guest Caleb Hearon, Matt Rogers brought up the film Rachel Getting Married directed by Jenny Lumet. Rogers and Hearon discussed aspects of the movie, including its dramatic car crash and the overall cultural footprint of the production during their comedic banter.
Discussed“Rachel getting married. I haven't seen it. Crashes the car. Rachel getting married of it.”
Where to get it
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Sapiens
On the September 30, 2026, episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled Coach Kelly, guest Kelly Clarkson mentioned Yuval Noah Harari's book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Clarkson explained that she brought up the book after seeing its author featured in a documentary about artificial intelligence.
Discussed“A brief history of humankind. I didn't know. Okay. I watched this doc and it was on AI and it was really interesting, scary and cool. Yeah. And this guy was on there and I love how he talk and they said he had written a book or whatever and turns out it's like a huge book that everybody's read.”
Where to get it
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Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
During an episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang featuring guest Jenna Bush Hager, Bowen Yang discussed Ann Brashares's novel Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. He recalled hiding the book under his bed when he was younger, noting that it was a major standout read for him from that period of his life.
Discussed“I didn't read Judy Bloom, but you know you know what the big standout like thing that I hid under my bed was was Sister of the Traveling Pants.”
Where to get it
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Slouching Toward Bethlehem
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the speakers discussed Joan Didion's essay collection Slouching Towards Bethlehem. During the episode titled The Iconic 400!, they referenced the book while also mentioning Didion's notable essay Goodbye to All That as part of their conversation.
Discussed“Um, Slouching Towards Bethlehem! And of course, did you read Goodbye to All That when you left New York? I think people sent it to you!”
Where to get it
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Study Guide
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the hosts discussed SuperSummary's Study Guide material alongside Joan Didion's essay. During the exchange, they talked about whether people read Goodbye to All That upon leaving New York and discussed the cultural impact of its author.
Discussed“And of course, did you read Goodbye to All That when you left New York? I think people sent it to you! No, did you send me that book?”
Where to get it
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The Art of War
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, the hosts highlighted Sun Tzu's The Art of War as part of their cultural countdown. They discussed the massive influence the ancient text has exerted across modern culture, noting its surprising popularity among reality television stars.
Discussed“Number 213, Sun Tzu wrote 'The Art of War.' Yes, which has inspired many, many, many people, reality stars even. By any means necessary, by any means necessary.”
Where to get it
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The Baby-Sitters Club
On the May 20, 2026 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled '"More Like Read BY Jenna" (w/ Jenna Bush Hager),' guest Jenna Bush Hager discussed Ann M. Martin's book series The Baby-Sitters Club. Hager recalled reading the books in 1988, citing them as a nostalgic pop culture milestone and an inspiration from her youth.
Discussed“It was 1988. It was the combination of two things. It was Ann M. Martin Merdens's The Babysitters Club.”
Where to get it
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The Beast in Me
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Brittany Snow discussed the television series The Beast in Me. Snow mentioned that Claire Danes portrays a writer working on a book about her character's husband.
Discussed“Claire Danes he she plays um this writer that's doing a book on Matthew Reese, my husband.”
Where to get it
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The Care and Keeping of You 2
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Rachel Bloom discussed the importance of self-care and journaling during the Drink Juice and Spill Tea episode. She referenced the book The Care and Keeping of You 2 by Cara Familian as a significant resource that was widely read by young women in the mid-1990s.
Discussed“I’m talking about there's an American Girl book from the mid-90s called The Care and Keeping of You that every young woman read! And it featured a graphic illustration of a girl putting a tampon in—every woman listening to this or watching this who was born in the late 80s or early 90s knows what I’m talking about!”
Where to get it
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The Catcher in the Rye
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Gabby Windey mentioned reading J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye during an episode in April 2025. While discussing books recommended by her partner's mother alongside other American classics, she noted that she read the novel and loved it.
Discussed“I love to read so like books she's telling me all of her mom's favorite books and like American classics. I'm like Joan Ddian. I did Catcher in the Ry. Love Sylvia Pla.”
Where to get it
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The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
On the April 23, 2025 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled “I’m The Party” (w/ Amy Poehler), guest Amy Poehler discussed Margareta Magnusson's book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Poehler mentioned that she produced a television show based on the concept and explicitly named the book, explaining the Swedish practice of clearing out one's belongings before death to help family members.
Discussed“There's a thing called Swedish death cleaning. I produced a show about it which is all about that. Swedish death cleaning. the gentle art of Swedish death cleaning, which is the Swedes believe one of the things that you can do for your family is you can clear out your stuff before you die.”
Where to get it
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The Giver
Matt Rogers and Lena Dunham discussed Lois Lowry's novel The Giver on Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. During the conversation, they talked about the book and its film adaptation, specifically recalling Taylor Swift's role in the movie version.
Discussed“And also um did you like The Giver? Of course. The Giver. Wasn't Taylor Swift in the Giver? She was in the Giver. Yes, in the Giver. She played an important memory in The Giver.”
Where to get it
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The Lost Girls
During the March 19, 2025 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled "Huge Fornicators" (w/ Cate Blanchett), Matt Rogers mentioned that they were currently reading D. J. Taylor's The Lost Girls for research purposes.
Discussed“we're reading a book now in the research um it's called Lost And Sound”
Where to get it
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The Naked and the Dead
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang in October 2024, Mariah Carey discussed The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer. Carey shared her long-standing admiration for Marilyn Monroe and explained that she explored Monroe's life through various books, specifically highlighting works written by Norman Mailer.
Discussed“And then from then on, I was a huge fan of hers and looked up all her... you know stuff from her life! Books about her, you know, books by Norman Mailer! You know, just like incredible!”
Where to get it
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The Notebook
On the March 21, 2024 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang featuring Mandy Moore, Moore discussed reading a Nicholas Sparks book targeted at her age group. She explained that reading the book prompted her strong desire to work on an adaptation related to it during her early acting career.
Discussed“For sure, yeah, but I had read, of course, this Nicholas Sparks book! It was like targeted for someone like me, my age! And I was like, I have to do this!”
Where to get it
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The Other Boleyn Girl
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Jennifer Lawrence brought up Philippa Gregory's historical novel The Other Boleyn Girl during a discussion of her early cultural touchstones. She explained that she read the book around the same time that the reality series Newlyweds and the Ashlee Simpson Show came out, noting that the dynamic between the Boleyn sisters in the story mirrored the relationship between the Simpson sisters for her.
Discussed“And then around the same time that I read The Other Bolin Girl was when Newlyweds came out, followed shortly by the Ashley Simpson show.”
Where to get it
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The Summer I Turned Pretty
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Jenna Bush Hager mentioned her daughter reading The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han while illustrating public reactions to young adult literature.
Discussed“I posted a picture, I don't think so, honey, OF MY DAUGHTER READING THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY.”
Where to get it
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The Velvet Rage
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Aaron Jackson discussed bringing up The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs in therapy and shared his therapist's reaction to it.
Discussed“I literally brought I brought the Velvet rage up in therapy the other day cuz I haven't read it and she like and my therapist was like I mean yeah and I was like why do you say that she goes it's very it's really for white Gaye”
Where to get it
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The Westing Game
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Lena Dunham brought up The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. She and Matt Rogers discussed the children's mystery novel, comparing its premise to the storytelling style of Agatha Christie.
Discussed“It felt like the beginning of um the Westing Game or like an Agatha Christie. I love the Westing Game. Well, I love the Westing Game, too.”
Where to get it
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The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Lena Dunham brought up Joan Aiken's book 'The Wolves of Willoughby Chase'. Dunham mentioned the title to fondly reminisce about books she loved reading as a child, specifically stories featuring orphan girls moving into mysterious houses.
Discussed“I don't know if you have a book called The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. No tell anything. It was incred. It was like about a girl. I loved books about like a girl who is an orphan and she moves to a house and something's not quite right.”
Where to get it
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
On an episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled “I’ve… Been Through”, released on November 6, 2024, host Matt Rogers discussed the cultural phenomenon of Oz ahead of an appearance by Wicked actress Ariana Grande. Matt explained that he and his co-host demonstrated their deep dedication and responsibility as longtime fans by doing extensive homework. This research notably included reading the classic original books written by L. Frank Baum to truly understand and live the material over the course of two decades.
Discussed“and now this is the film which is such a beautiful which is such a beautiful blessing and responsibility to have as people who also love it and have lived for this for 20 years and have done the research like read the lfrank bomb books and and done their homework and have lived it and loved it”
Where to get it
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Tom Lake
During an appearance on Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Jenna Bush Hager brought up Ann Patchett's novel Tom Lake. She mentioned the book while discussing notable audiobook performances, specifically highlighting Meryl Streep's narration of Patchett's work.
Discussed“Well, I mean, when we think about like Tom Lake, which our queen Anne Patchet wrote, but Merryill Streep read it.”
Where to get it
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Tracy Flick Can't Win
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers discussed Tom Perrotta's sequel novel Tracy Flick Can't Win. Rogers talked about the book's connection to the original story and noted that an adaptation of Perrotta's sequel was in development with Alexander Payne.
Discussed“and they did a sequel to it called Tracy flick can't win Tom Pera wrote a second book like years and years later and they're doing it Alexander p is supposed to do it they're getting the script together”
Where to get it
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Walt Disney
On the Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang episode Turn Up The Volume, guest Tourmaline discussed reading A.A. Christiansen's biography Walt Disney. Tourmaline noted that she was about halfway through the book and was reading it to draw inspiration for world-building in her own art.
Discussed“I'm reading um Walt Disney's biography right now like halfway through because like honestly that um I want to make art like that.”
Where to get it
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War and Peace
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Nicole Kidman appeared in the March 11, 2026 episode titled Shivery Delicious. During the discussion, Kidman mentioned reading Tolstoy's War and Peace when describing how she followed a reading list of classic books and developed an obsession with Russian literature.
Discussed“Just because I had one of those lists of the hundred books you're meant to read. Okay. Yeah. But I started on dsttoyki and then I went oh hold on and then I just kept going on dsttoyki and then I moved over to Toltoy and then before you know it I'm obsessed with the Russians. Yeah and I went”
Where to get it
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Wicked
On May 20, 2026, during an episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled "More Like Read BY Jenna" featuring guest Jenna Bush Hager, the book "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire was discussed. Bush Hager brought up the novel during her segment while questioning why people are banning books, specifically asking why the public is banning the Wicked book.
Discussed“Why are we banning all these books, y'all? INCLUDING THE WICKED BOOK. WHY ARE WE BANNING the wicked book?”
Where to get it
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Wild
On the September 17, 2025 episode of Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang titled Ambition, guest Reese Witherspoon discussed Cheryl Strayed's book Wild. Witherspoon mentioned that she had read Wild in galleys before ultimately producing and starring in the film adaptation.
Discussed“I read Wild and Gone Girl in Galleys.”
Where to get it
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Wild and Crazy Guys
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, guest Tina Fey discussed Nick de Semlyen's non-fiction book Wild and Crazy Guys. She highlighted how the book explores the era when comedy stars like Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy rose to fame.
Discussed“I read this book, I think it's called like Wild and Crazy Guys! And it's just a little nonfiction book about this, that span of time where like, it's like Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Dan, it's like all of when they all were blowing up and what movies got made and whatever!”
Where to get it
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Wuthering Heights
On Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang (episode ""Shivery Delicious" (w/ Nicole Kidman)", 2026-03-11), guest Nicole Kidman brought up Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights to illustrate her fascination with the Brontë sisters and the literary state of yearning, mentioning that she had read the novel six times.
Discussed“and um but I've read Wthering Heights six times. Right. Yeah. Um and I love Heath Cliff.”
Where to get it
Guests who recommended books
- Jenna Bush Hager (11)
- Lena Dunham (3)
- Reese Witherspoon (3)
- Cynthia Erivo (3)
- Aaron Jackson (3)
- John Waters (2)
- Nicole Kidman (2)
- Jennifer Lawrence (2)
- Joanna "JoJo" Levesque (2)
- Mandy Moore (2)
- Kelly Clarkson (1)
- Carly Rae Jepsen (1)
- D'Arcy Carden (1)
- Mindy Kaling (1)
- Adam Shankman (1)
- Caleb Hearon (1)
- Becca Ramos (1)
- Brittany Snow (1)
- Sarah Paulson (1)
- Demi Lovato (1)
- Michelle Obama (1)
- Amy Poehler (1)
- Chappell Roan (1)
- Gabby Windey (1)
- Cate Blanchett (1)
- Ariana Grande (1)
- Rachel Bloom (1)
- Mariah Carey (1)
- Ben Platt (1)
- Taylor Tomlinson (1)
- Tina Fey (1)
Latest mentions
“So this actually reminds me of something I attempted to watch, which was East of Eden. Okay. So I'm just going to, I'm just going to, I'm just going to, first of all, I want to say this. I am a Zoe Kastan. I, I, I love Zoe Kazan. I am a Zoe Kastan. Like I've always like loved this”
“So, I bought Big Little Truths. What's that? Well, it's the sequel to Big Little Lies cuz you know there's going to be a a new season of Big Little Lies. That's right. And apparently it's like the kids are grown and you know I don't know what else. All I know I I didn't make it very far honestly.”
“A brief history of humankind. I didn't know. Okay. I watched this doc and it was on AI and it was really interesting, scary and cool. Yeah. And this guy was on there and I love how he talk and they said he had written a book or whatever and turns out it's like a huge book that everybody's read.”
“You know what is thorns and roses? Oh, romantis. Okay. So, it has all the ingredients I should like totally”
“I had just read the book Girl Interrupted, which is now going to Broadway or on Broadway. Oh, wow. Interesting. It was just It was just a book. This is a book before the movie. It was just a book about a girl that went to a goddamn place where they make you feel.”
“And so I think like then you see a really good version of it like Bossy Pants and that thing is riddled with jokes.”
“She came to lunch at the Ivy for a meeting with me holding her copy of Walk to Remember the book. The book when she was 16, I guess 15, 16.”
“It was 1988. It was the combination of two things. It was Ann M. Martin Merdens's The Babysitters Club.”
“I didn't read Judy Bloom, but you know you know what the big standout like thing that I hid under my bed was was Sister of the Traveling Pants.”
“And honestly, even when when I Judy Bloom gave me Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, which is Mila's real name. I'm like, "Oh my god, I'm going to give that to Mila."”
“Well, I mean, when we think about like Tom Lake, which our queen Anne Patchet wrote, but Merryill Streep read it.”
“we did Mariah for the meaning of Mariah Carey and just the way that she informs the stories with her voice.”
“Wait, this new one I want to read. Caller Unknown. Yeah, Caller Unknown.”
“It's the first thriller I've I'm only chosen two thrillers before. One is called All the Colors of the Dark, which is so good.”
“Why are we banning all these books, y'all? INCLUDING THE WICKED BOOK. WHY ARE WE BANNING the wicked book?”
“Why are we banning to kill a mockingb bird?”
“I posted a picture, I don't think so, honey, OF MY DAUGHTER READING THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY.”
“But you're taking Beloved by Tony Morrison out of our libraries.”
“I was with Men Jen, this author who I love who wrote Pachinko, and she told me, Menin Lee, she told me that books actually made her brave.”
“when my screenplay books came out. But we did publish on the back. The only quote was from the New York Times for Desperate Living, which Criterion is putting out in 4K very soon.”
Episodes
Link to this list from your show notes
Host or produce Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang? Give your listeners every book mentioned on the show, with the episode and the minute it came up. New episodes are added as they come out.
