What's Tom Reading?
41 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsYOU NEED THIS PODCAST IN YOUR LIFE! In every show, I will take a book that has a lot to give and then dig deep into the best gems in an entertaining and fast-paced show. It's part book review, part variety show, and all fun! If you're big into books, love learning new things, and you're always looking for something to read, let this show take you where you want to go!
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Episodes
Episode 38 - Unreasonable Hospitality
March 08, 2024 06:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBHello, my friends! Today we are talking about the very interesting and hugely impactful book, Unreasonable Hospitality, by Will Guidara. This is all about how you can go above and beyond for your customers and be MORE successful because of it. If that sounds interesting to you, stay tuned and enjoy the show! Thanks for listening.
Episode 37 - Congo
February 29, 2024 02:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBHello, my friends! Today we are talking about the amazing action/adventure/thriller, "Congo," by Michael Crichton. I've been on a Crichton kick for the last little while as you know and this book is no different. As a little interesting aside, you can watch this podcast episode on YouTube by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpDKrIA-PBk Check it out if you're interested! Thanks for listening. Enjoy the show! Tom
SPECIAL - Michael Crichton
February 22, 2024 21:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBToday on the show we are going to be talking about the one and only Michael Crichton. There's nobody out there like him. Lately, I haven't been able to stop reading his books and I want to pass the mind virus on to you guys! Thanks for listening! Enjoy the show. Tom
Episode 36 - The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels
November 16, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBHello, my friends! Today I am going to be talking about the very interesting and somewhat controversial book, "The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels" by Alex Epstein. Fair warning, there are going to be some sacred cows offended in this episode. If you keep an open mind, I think you'll like it! Thanks for listening!
Episode 35 - Mindhunter
November 09, 2023 18:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBHello, my friends! Today on the show I am going to be talking about the gruesome, grizzly, gory, but very interesting book, "Mindhunter" by John E. Douglas. This book is not for the feint of heart, so I warn you in advance that there is going to be some rough content in this episode, even though I'm going to try to censor specific details about crimes. If you're interested in learning about a true-crime FBI profiling book about what makes the worst of the worst tick, then check out this e...
Episode 34 - The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
August 29, 2023 02:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBHello, my friends! Today I am talking about the extremely interesting and fascinating Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. This was one of the best little books I have read in a long time. It's hard for me to think of a book that packed so much of a punch in such a small volume. If you're interested in hearing a little bit about the life of one of the greatest men who ever lived, then stay tuned and enjoy the show!
Episode 33 - The Closing of the American Mind
August 13, 2023 00:00 - 59 minutes - 41 MBHello, my friends! Today I am talking about the interesting, erudite, and very, very grouchy book "The Closing of the American Mind" by Allan Bloom. This is a controversial book, written by a controversial man, but it is downright beautiful and full of interesting and valuable things that will make you think. I highly recommend it! If it sounds like something that you would be interested in, then stay tuned and enjoy the show! Tom
Episode 32 - The Saad Truth about Happiness
August 11, 2023 04:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBHello, my friends! Today I am talking about the very interesting book, "The Saad Truth about Happiness: 8 Secrets for Living the Good Life" by Dr. Gad Saad. This book was a very interesting take on life from a very interesting (and somewhat controversial) author. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think you would too! If this sounds interesting to you, then stay tuned and enjoy the show! Thanks for all your support.
SPECIAL - Night Choir
July 16, 2023 01:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBMy Friends! I have an exciting announcement to make! I wrote a book! In this episode, I talk about my new book, give you a sample of it, and talk a little bit about the writing and publication process. If this sounds interesting to you, then check it out. If you'd like to buy my book, Night Choir, you can find it on Amazon. Thank you all so much for your support! Tom
Episode 31 - Sasquatch
June 17, 2023 21:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBHello, my friends! In today's episode, we are going to be talking about the extremely interesting book "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science" by Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum. This book is a wild ride through all things bigfoot related and how the science may point to the existence of a solitary ape-man in the woods (spoiler alert, it doesn't convince me). If this sounds like it might be interesting to you, then this show is for you! If you like what you hear, please share the podcast with someone who y...
SPECIAL - The Journal of M.A.N.
May 12, 2023 20:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBHell friends! Today I am reviewing the AWESOME zombie book "The Journal of M.A.N. Volume I by Jonathan W. Western. Jonathan is a friend of mine so it is a total pleasure for me to be able not only to read his awesome book, but to do a podcast episode reviewing it. This book is a fantastic first book written by someone who I think will prove to be an up-and-coming force in the genre. Please pick up this book and show Jonathan your love and support! Thanks for listening. If you wouldn't min...
Episode 30 - 100 Books of 2022 - Part 1
January 07, 2023 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBHello my friends! Sorry it's taken me so long to upload another episode. I have decided to change up my content creation a little bit and part of that is building a YouTube channel where I will host this podcast in video form as well as other videos I plan to make documenting my various hobbies. This is really a video journal for myself and my kids and a great way for me to keep a record of the things I enjoy most about life. I will continue to post episodes online in podcast form and this...
Episode 29 - Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany
July 14, 2022 08:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBHello! In this episode of What's Tom Reading, I'm talking about the very interesting WWII book, Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany by Norman Ohler. This books provides a super fascinating lens through which we can view the events and decisions of the Nazis from the lowest foot soldier to the man at the very top. Were they all on drugs? The author seems to think so, and I want to talk about it with you. If that sounds interesting, then check it out! If you like the show, please feel free to shar...
Episode 28 - Dracula
June 28, 2022 06:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBEver wonder where all this vampire stuff started? Well, wonder no more because today we are talking about Bram Stoker's Dracula, the grand-daddy of all vampire stories. If you picture a vampire (that isn't a Twilight vampire) then you are most likely picturing a creature inspired by this book. Come with me as we discuss one of the greatest books ever written! If you like the show, please feel free to share it with someone who you think would get a kick out of it. If you love the show, plea...
Episode 27 - The Boys in the Boat
May 06, 2022 20:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBREAD THIS BOOK! I don't say this that often, but you need this book in your life. I don't care who you are. This is all about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, evil, and pain. It is about striving to be more than your circumstances. This book made me proud to be a human being. If that sounds interesting to you, then pick it up and read it! The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. Thanks for listening. If you like the show, please feel free to share it with someone who you...
Episode 26 - Extreme Ownership
March 17, 2022 09:00 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBHello, friends! Today I am talking about the exceptionally inspiring book "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. This book was excellent and one of the rare and exciting books where you get something INSTANTLY actionable that you can take away with you and implement. I know it changed the way I look at the world around me and I use what I've learned from this book every day in life. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, you'll love this episode! If you like th...
Episode 25 - Human Errors
March 03, 2022 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBHello, friends! In this episode I talk about the fantastically interesting book "Human Errors: A Panorama of Our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes" by Nathan Lents. This book was a super informative and interesting tour through our anatomy and genetics that shows everything that makes we humans so special, as well as some evolutionary holdovers that seem to be holding us back. I liked this book a lot and I think you will too! If you like the show, please feel free to subscribe...
Episode 24 - SPECIAL - Brandon Sanderson
February 27, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBHello, friends! In this special episode of What's Tom Reading? I get a little bit weird about how much I love Brandon Sanderson, talk about his books, his characters, the worlds he has built, and honestly probably a little bit too much in detail about the magic systems. Some of you asked me to do more reviews on fiction books and this is what has come of that process. I hope you like this episode and honestly, I hope it makes you want to go out and pick up a Brandon Sanderson novel at your e...
Episode 23 - Never Split the Difference
February 13, 2022 01:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBHello, friends! Today I am talking about the AWESOME negotiation book called: "“Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your Life Depended on it” by Chris Voss. This book combines that gritty Cop Noir type genre with a standard business self-help type book for an awesome all around book that will both entertain and educate you. If you're interested in learning some new negotiating skills, you'll love this episode! Thanks for listening! If you like the show, please subscribe, share, a...
Episode 22 - Zero to One
February 09, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBHi guys! Today I am talking about the unique book on innovation and progress, "“Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future” by Peter Thiel. I'll admit that when I first picked up this book, I had low expectations. After all, I thought it would be just another business book written by some rich guy who thinks he has something important to say. But I gotta tell you, this one caught me off guard a few times. If you're interested in hearing a weird guy talk about another weird gu...
Episode 21 - Chain of Title
February 03, 2022 08:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBHello, my friends! Today I am talking about the dense but rewarding book "Chain of Title: How Three Ordinary Americans Uncovered Wall Street’s Great Foreclosure Fraud” by David Dayen. As the title suggests, this book is about the 2008 financial crisis and how a cancer nurse, a car salesman, and an insurance specialist banded together to find out why they and so many others had lost their homes. They navigate a hostile legal landscape and take on some of America’s biggest institutions head on...
Episode 20 - The Element
January 29, 2022 01:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBHello, my friends! Today I am talking about the inspiring book "The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything” by Ken Robinson. This book is all about discovering your passions, pairing those passions with a talent, and discovering your "Element." It also gives some advice and great examples of people through history who have overcome the barriers to getting to that place where you love what you do, and you are good at it. If you like the show, please share it with someone who yo...
Episode 19 - Essentialism
January 23, 2022 22:00 - 44 minutes - 31 MBHi guys! Today I am talking about the amazing book "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown. This book is all about helping you discover the things that are truly important and essential in life while trimming away all of the many things we all do that aren't actually helping us to reach our goals. This book sincerely changed the way I look at my own life and priorities and it has given me a ton to think about! If you're interested in ways that you can streamline your ...
Episode 18 - Red Notice
January 21, 2022 12:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBHi guys! Today I am talking about the political thriller, "Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Quest for Justice" by Bill Browder. This book is a look behind the curtain into the gangster oligarchs running Russia from behind the scenes, how they seized power after the fall of the Soviet Union during the era of privatization, and how Vladimir Putin rose to become the kingpin of the whole thing. The book was written by an American who finds himself caught up in a po...
Episode 17 - T: The Story of Testosterone
January 15, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBHi guys! Today I am talking about the excellent non-fiction book called "T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us" by Dr. Carole Hooven. This book was a highly-educational overview of endocrinology and evolutionary biology delivered in a surprisingly entertaining package. It was full of very interesting facts about the way testosterone shapes both man and animal alike and how it impacts the world we live in. I loved this book, and I think you'll get a kick out ...
Episode 16 - Ego is the Enemy
January 06, 2022 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.7 MBHi guys! Today's episode is talking about the awesome self-improvement/philosophy book "Ego is the Enemy" by Ryan Holiday. This book talks about implementing good stoic philosophy and the wisdom of humble greatness into your life. If you can stay humble, there is no end to your potential. If you let your ego get in the way, then there is every likelihood that you will fail, or at least not reach your fullest potential. This book was important to me and gave me a lot to think about. If you'r...
Episode 15 - SPECIAL - Universe 25
December 30, 2021 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBHello, friends! In this special Holiday episode of What's Tom Reading?, I am talking about a very interesting paper I read recently called Universe 25 by Dr. John B. Calhoun. The paper was written to document the results of an experiment in which the Doctor and his colleagues set up a perfect mouse utopia only to witness as it completely destroyed itself from the inside. I thought this was super fascinating and I think you will too! I also wanted to thank all of you for your support in gett...
Episode 14 - Twilight
December 13, 2021 00:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBHi guys! At your request, I finally made it through Twilight and in this episode I'm going to talk all about it. I have some serious issues with this book, but I also try to take time to talk about the highlights as well. If you're interested, please enjoy the show! Thanks for listening, and thanks so much for all of your support! You guys are the best!
Episode 13 - Spycraft
December 04, 2021 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.4 MBToday's episode is about the book "Spycraft: The Secret History of the CIA’s Spytechs from Communism to Al Qaeda” by Robert Wallace and H. Keith Melton. This book is a wild ride through the intricate and secretive world of spies, espionage, and intelligence gathering. I talk a little bit about all the gizmos, gadgets, gear, and awesome agents who work behind the scenes to fight America's enemies abroad. If you are interested in James Bond, Jason Bourne, or any other super cool spy action t...
Episode 12 - The End of Craving
November 22, 2021 23:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBToday's book is "The End of Craving" by Mark Schatzker. This one is about all of the things in our modern diet that are screwing us up and killing us. If you want to end up paranoid about what's in your flour, then this one's for you. If you want to pick up the book for yourself and you'd like to support the podcast, please use this link: https://amzn.to/3CHnVuC Thanks for listening and thanks so much for all of your support! You guys are the best.
Episode 11 - Gates of Fire
November 18, 2021 00:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBHi guys! Today I'm talking about the book "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield. This book is a historical fiction novel about the 300 Spartans and their heroic last stand at the "hot gates" in Thermopylae to fight off the Persian Emperor Xerxes and his massive army. It's a great book that offers an interesting take on one of the greatest stories ever told. Check it out! If you want to pick up the book yourself and you'd like to support the show at no extra cost to you, please use this link...
Episode 10 - The Gray Lady Winked
November 11, 2021 23:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBHi guys! Today I'm talking about the book "The Gray Lady Winked: How the New York Times's Misreporting, Distortions, and Fabrications Radically Alter History" by Ashley Rindsberg. This book was CRAZY! If you're into news and/or politics at all, you have to make this book a part of your life. If you want to pick it up and you'd like to support the show at no extra cost to you, please use this link: https://amzn.to/3oiViic Thanks so much for listening and for all of your support!
Episode 9 - Forensic History
November 08, 2021 20:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBHi guys! Today I am talking about the Great Courses lecture series called "Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals" performed by lecturer Elizabeth A. Murray. If you are into "true crime" as a genre and you have a strong stomach, I think you'll get a kick out of this episode! If you want to pick up the book for yourself and you'd like to help out the podcast at no cost to you, then please use this link to buy it: https://amzn.to/3BXXNLA Thanks for listening, and thank you for your ...
Episode 8 - Red Roulette
November 02, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBIn this episode I talk about the autobiographical expose of the evils and excesses of the Chinese Communist Party, "Red Roulette" by Desmond Shum. This is an important book that has some crazy takeaways! If you're into world politics or you just want to learn a little more about the Chinese system of government, I think you'll get a kick out of this episode! Thanks so much for listening. If you want to pick up this book for yourself, click on the link below and it will take you to the Amazo...
Episode 7 - How to Invent Everything
October 27, 2021 23:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBOn this episode I talk about the book "How to Invent Everything" by Ryan North. This is a fact-filled invention-focused non-fiction book with a super cool fictitious premise. In some ways this book is everything I could ever dream of in a book. It was full of useful and practical knowledge delivered in a fun and engaging way. If this sounds interesting to you, I think you'll get a kick out of this episode. If you want to pick up the book for yourself, this is one that I'd highly recommend o...
Episode 6 - The History of the Vikings
October 24, 2021 20:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBToday I'm talking about the audiobook - The History of the Vikings. This book is a compilation of very cool lectures on Norse mythology, culture, and impact, with a particular focus on the raiding, pillaging warrior class of Vikings! If you are into Vikings, I think you'll get a kick out of this episode! If you want to pick up the book, you can support this show with no extra cost to you by purchasing through this link: https://amzn.to/3pr998g Thanks for listening! Enjoy the show!
Episode 5 - The Screwtape Letters
October 20, 2021 05:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBHi guys! In this episode I talk about The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. This awesome and highly-quotable book was a ton of fun to read and I think it will be a ton of fun for you to hear some of the coolest little nuggets of wisdom from it! If you want to pick it up yourself, and you'd like to support the podcast at no cost to you, please use this link: https://amzn.to/3lCeiI9 Thanks for listening!
Episode 4 - I Am Legend
October 12, 2021 23:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBThis week I read the book I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. You may have seen the Hollywood movie with Will Smith, and it was great, but if you haven't read the book then you are missing out! I couldn't put this one down and I know you're going to get a kick out of hearing about. If you want to pick this book up, here is the link to Amazon. By using this link to buy the book, you help out the show (and it doesn't cost you anything extra). https://amzn.to/3mVozOZ Thanks for listening!
Episode 1 - Jurassic Park
October 09, 2021 23:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBThis week I review one of the all-time great science fiction novels - Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. I figured, what better way to start this podcast than by talking about one of the best scifi books ever written? Thanks for listening, I hope you like it!
Episode 3 - By Water Beneath the Walls
October 09, 2021 23:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBIn this episode, I review "By Water Beneath the Walls" by Benjamin Milligan. This book talks about the rise of the Navy SEALS and how one of the world's foremost elite special forces units came to be. This is a pretty obscure book, but one that you're definitely going to want to learn more about! Check it out! Thanks for listening.
Episode 2 - Antifragile
October 09, 2021 23:00 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MBIn this episode, I talk about Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. This is a semi-obscure collection of essays on extremely low-probability events and how they interact with broader systems. I know it doesn't sound like a thrill-ride, but I promise this book has a lot to offer! Check out this episode and see for yourself! Thanks for listening!