If Books Could Kill
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If Books Could Kill is a Podcast that critiques popular nonfiction and bestselling books. Common genres covered include self-help, personal finance, business, relationship advice, and other similar topics in popular nonfiction literature.
The show is hosted by Peter Shamshiri and Michael Hobbes. The first episode of the series aired on November 2, 2022. Most episodes clock in at roughly one hour, though a few approach two hours in length.
The podcast has a website here. Tune into it on Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here, on Amazon Music here, or on Audible here. The podcast can be listened to with transcripts on Buzzsprout here. The show also has a Patreon here.
Tropes used in If Books Could Kill include:
- Bourgeois Bohemian: Discussed in "Episode 3: Bobos in Paradise", with this stereotype being the subject of the book.
- Cluster F-Bomb: The excessive use of the word "Fuck" is discussed in "Episode 23: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck", where Peter notes the difference between casually saying "fuck" often versus peppering speak with it intentionally.
- Double Entendre: The hosts note one in the subtitle for The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists in "Episode 4: The Game".
- Follow the Leader: The New Tens trend of using the word "Fuck" in the title of a book is chronicled early in "Episode 23: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck".
- Former Teen Rebel: Mentioned in "Episode 3: Bobos in Paradise", where an example is given of someone who used to listen to Nirvana now works selling insurance.
- Hysterical Woman: Michael Hobbes comments that some viewers have identified him as this at the start of "Episode 18: Liberal Fascism".
- Mars and Venus Gender Contrast: Discussed in "Episode 7: Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus".
- Population Control: After the work of Thomas Malthus is described to him, Peter sarcastically remarks "Look I've heard enough. It's time do do population control on poor people" in "Episode 5: The Population Bomb".
- Pungeon Master: The hosts make a number of cheese puns in "Episode 33: Who Moved My Cheese?".
- Strawman U: Depictions of higher education in media is discussed in "Episode 9: The Coddling of the American Mind".
- Tagline: One is used on the official website - "The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds".
- Upper Class Twit: Briefly touched on in "Episode 3: Bobos in Paradise", when discussing the aesthetics of the political elite owning things like ranches in The United States.
- Viewer Gender Confusion: Michael Hobbes is sometimes mistaken to be a female host due to his voice, which is commented on at the start of "Episode 18: Liberal Fascism".