- 16
- Episodes
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2024
- First episode
About pagsuBook
A buddy read podcast
- Publisher
- Cads
- Category
- arts
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 2 Sept 2024
- Latest episode
- 14 Jun 2026
Latest episodes
16 episodes in the feed.
14 Jun 2026
Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami
This episode, we dive into the dreamy, melancholic world of Haruki Murakami’s 1999 novel, Sputnik Sweetheart. Part mystery, part meditation on human connection, this story explores what happens when the people we care about remain just out of reach—like lonely satellites passing in the dark. The plot follows Sumire, an erratic and passionate young writer who falls hopelessly in love with Miu, a glamorous older businesswoman. When Sumire suddenly vanishes from a remote Greek island, her closest friend—a narrator who is secretly in love with Sumire—is forced to travel to Greece to piece together her final days. In true Murakami fashion, the narrative blends the ordinary with the surreal, featuring deep reflections on unrequited love, late-night phone calls, jazz records, and a literal fracturing of reality. In this episode, we discuss: The Unrequited Triangle: Analyzing the complex dynamics between the narrator, Sumire, and Miu. The Disappearance: Breaking down the novel's magical realist elements, including that infamous Ferris wheel scene. The Sputnik Metaphor: Why Murakami’s take on loneliness and existential isolation still resonates so strongly today. We unpack our own theories on the book's ambiguous ending and look at how it fits into Murakami's wider body of work.
1 Jun 2026
Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly
Buckle up, because this week we are diving headfirst into the absolute madness that is Matthew Reilly’s Seven Deadly Wonders (or Seven Ancient Wonders, depending on where you bought your copy). The best way to describe this book is Indiana Jones meets The Fast and the Furious with a massive dose of National Treasure. We follow Jack West Jr. and his team of underdog misfits as they race against global superpowers to find the scattered pieces of an ancient golden capstone before the world literally ends. In this episode, we’re laughing about Reilly's completely unhinged, breakneck pacing and debating whether his wild ancient traps actually make sense. We also talk about our favorite team members, and whether this is a cinematic masterpiece or just the ultimate popcorn read.
31 May 2026
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
Grab a drink and get cozy! This week, the book club is tackling Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer-winning epic, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Set in 1930s NYC, it follows cousins Sammy Clay and Joe Kavalier—a Jewish refugee who just escaped Nazi-occupied Prague—as they break into the budding comic book industry and create a superhero named "The Escapist." We're diving into the themes of magic and escape, Sammy and Joe's heartbreaking dynamic, and Chabon's love letter to old-school New York. Most importantly, we're giving our honest thoughts on whether this 600+ page novel actually lives up to the hype. Whether you finished it or gave up halfway, press play and join the conversation!
25 Jan 2026
Blindsight by Peter Watts
The Pagsubook gang goes deep into Blindsight by Peter Watts—a dense, unsettling sci-fi novel that asks a big question: do you actually need consciousness to be intelligent? We break down the book’s wild ideas about aliens, evolution, and what it means to be human, plus share what confused us, what stuck with us, and why this book still messes with readers’ heads. Come for the space horror, stay for the existential dread. ⚠️ Spoilers included. --- Intro Song: Ultra Composer: Savfk Website: https://youtube.com/savfkmusic License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
28 Dec 2025
You're That Bitch: And Other Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself by Bretman Rock
The Pagsubook gangs goes deep with Bretman Rock’s You’re That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself—aka parang chikahan with your funniest ate who’s loud, real, and somehow also drops life advice when you least expect it. Bretman shares stories about growing up Filipino in Hawaii, becoming that internet icon, and learning how to stay true to yourself kahit may bashers, expectations, at kung sino-sino pang may opinion. We talk about confidence, pagiging makapal ang mukha (in a good way), self-love, and why being “that bitch” is really just knowing your worth and not letting anyone dim your shine. Expect “ay ang sakit naman,” “relate ako diyan,” and moments na akala mo joke lang pero biglang may hugot. If you need a reminder to mind your own business, love yourself harder, and live your best buhay, this episode is for you. Periodt.
27 Dec 2025
The High King by Lloyd Alexander
This episode kicks off a new format for our Pagsubook podcast! One of us, Ava, picked a longtime favorite to reread—The High King by Lloyd Alexander—while the rest of the group is coming to it fresh. That mix leads to some fun (and honest) conversations as we talk through Taran’s journey, favorite scenes, big themes, and how the ending lands for first-time readers versus someone who’s loved this book for years. Expect relaxed discussion, different perspectives, and plenty of appreciation for a classic fantasy that still holds up. Pull up a chair and read along with us.
24 Aug 2025
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
Cozy fantasy. Magical realism. Ghibli vibes. Water Moon is all of these. Can a few hundred pages weave an engaging (and sensible) plot to engage the Pagsubook gang? We’ll unpack what works (and what doesn't) and ultimately consider: What kind of reader will sail into the world of Water Moon and come away spellbound?
2 Jul 2025
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande's Being Mortal. An apt book for the (our) age? It’s honest, it’s moving, and it forces you to think about stuff most of us try to avoid. So in this episode, we’re going to unpack some of the big ideas, talk about what stood out, and maybe rethink the way we approach some of life’s hardest conversations. A heavy episode but insightful episode with a special guest.
4 May 2025
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda
Feeling stressed? Distracted? Scrolling too much? Turns out, a guy (or a number of guys) named Patanjali had some thoughts on all that—thousands of years ago. In this episode, we explore The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with the help of Sri Swami Satchidananda’s surprisingly modern commentary. Think of it as ancient advice for dealing with your very 21st-century brain. Is it useful or is it too esoteric? Listen to our our take on a somewhat unconventional pick for a book club.
20 Apr 2025
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
We talk Heart-Shaped Box, the chilling debut novel from Joe Hill — a name you might recognize not just for his writing, but also as the son of Stephen King. Hill steps out of his father’s shadow with a story that’s all his own: a retired rock star, a ghost bought online, and a slow unraveling of guilt, trauma, and the cost of not looking back. Does Heart-Shaped Box mark the arrival of a major new voice in the genre? The Pagsubook crew tells all at the press of a button.
19 Apr 2025
The Trouble With Neil Gaiman: Separating the Artist From the Art
We’re talking about Neil Gaiman — a major voice in fantasy literature and pop culture — and the recent controversy that’s sparked debate among fans and critics alike. We also look at the bigger questions it raises about authors, their work, and their role in public discourse.
19 Apr 2025
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
The Pagsubook crew tackles Orbital by Samantha Harvey—a "plotless" novel that takes place over the course of a single day aboard an international space station. But while the setting is miles above Earth, the story is rooted in observation, stillness, and the quiet complexity of being human. Harvey invites us to consider the world from a distance—not just physically, but emotionally and philosophically. Through the eyes of six astronauts, Orbital becomes a meditation on time, fragility, and connection, told in language that feels both expansive and precise. Is it really a compelling read? Yes? No? Our take at the press of the button.
2 Jan 2025
Billy Summers by Stephen King
Stephen King but sans horror. It's a crime thriller. It's that one last job for a hitman trying to retire — but nothing’s that simple. King swaps horror for high-stakes drama, giving us a reluctant killer with some sort of moral compass. We have veterans and first timers to the King-verse on the Pagsubook gang so it should be a interesting review.
23 Nov 2024
Neuromancer by William Gibson
The Pagsubook gang dives into the groundbreaking 1984 novel Neuromancer by William Gibson, the book that defined cyberpunk and revolutionized science fiction. Whether you’re a first-time reader or revisiting this cyberpunk classic, this episode will take you deep into the heart of the novel's complex themes, its cultural impact, and why it remains a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and humanity. Plug in and hold on, this one is a tough read!
6 Oct 2024
Educated by Tara Westover
Pagsubook dives deep into Tara Westover’s memoir, "Educated." In this compelling story, Tara shares her journey from growing up in a strict, survivalist household in rural Idaho to pursuing higher education and ultimately earning a PhD from Cambridge University. In this episode, we explore themes of education, identity, and resilience, reflecting on Tara's struggles against her family's beliefs and the transformative power of knowledge. Our hosts share their personal insights and discuss the impact of familial bonds, the quest for self-discovery, and the courage it takes to break away from one's roots. All of these plus the usual sprinkling of tangential stories from the hosts.
2 Sept 2024
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
The pagsuBook crew goes sci-fi and dystopian into man's interplanetary future with Red Rising.
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