The Book Pile

By: Kellen Erskine and David Vance
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  • Summary

  • A podcast where comedians tell you about books so you never have to read! (Now including fiction!) Kellen does standup; Dave writes ads; together they highlight lessons from the world’s best books--and some of the worst. New episode every Monday!
    © 2025 The Book Pile
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Episodes
  • Re-Issue: Excellent Advice for Living, by Kevin Kelly

    Re-Issue: Excellent Advice for Living, by Kevin Kelly
    Feb 19 2025

    SUMMARY: Enjoy a digitally-remastered edit of one of our favorite episodes, where the author shares exactly what the book is called. Plus, Dave tells a story about being accidentally cool at a wedding, and Dave disagrees with a brilliant plan that Kellen has for safe combat with burglars...

    WATCH KELLEN'S NEW COMEDY SPECIAL ON YOUTUBE!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpBt0W1zrDU&t=1237s

    KELLEN ERSKINE IS IN ON TOUR!
    MAR 16 New Bremen, OH
    MAR 20 Pittsburgh
    MAR 28 Bakersfield, C

    APR 4 Delray Beach, FL
    APR 25-26 Indiana

    MAY 9-10 Dallas
    MAY 17 St Charles, IL
    For tickets go to KellenErskine.com

    -Get two free tickets to any of Kellen's live shows in 2025 by joining The Book Pile's Patreon at:
    https://www.patreon.com/TheBookPile

    -Dave’s book / game The Starlings is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBBLGXN?ref=myi_title_dp

    THE HOSTS!

    -Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's America's Got Talent, and the Amazon Original Series Inside Jokes. He has garnered over 200 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy. In 2018 he was selected to perform on the “New Faces” showcase at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He currently tours the country www.KellenErskine.com

    -David Vance's videos have garnered over 1 billion views. He has written viral ads for companies like Squatty Potty, Chatbooks, and Lumē, and sketches for the comedy show Studio C. His work has received two Webby Awards, and appeared on Conan. He currently works as a writer on the sitcom Freelancers.
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    31 mins
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

    Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
    Feb 10 2025

    SUMMARY: What if Pride and Prejudice were spooky? What if Mr. Darcy were less handsome, but also more abominable? What if instead of four sisters, Lizzie had no parents and a best friend who dies of tuberculosis? If you love Jane Austen, you’ll love this book, assuming you can get on board with some stuff. Today’s novel is the incomparable Jane Eyre. Though I guess it can be comparable to Pride and Prejudice.

    WATCH KELLEN'S NEW COMEDY SPECIAL ON YOUTUBE!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpBt0W1zrDU&t=1237s

    KELLEN ERSKINE IS IN ON TOUR!
    MAR 16 New Bremen, OH
    MAR 20 Pittsburgh
    MAR 28 Bakersfield, CA
    APR 4 Delray Beach, FL
    APR 25-26 Indiana
    MAY 9-10 Dallas
    MAY 17 St Charles, IL
    For tickets go to KellenErskine.com

    -Get two free tickets to any of Kellen's live shows in 2025 by joining The Book Pile's Patreon at:
    https://www.patreon.com/TheBookPile

    -Dave’s book / game The Starlings is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBBLGXN?ref=myi_title_dp

    THE HOSTS!

    -Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's America's Got Talent, and the Amazon Original Series Inside Jokes. He has garnered over 200 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy. In 2018 he was selected to perform on the “New Faces” showcase at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He currently tours the country www.KellenErskine.com

    -David Vance's videos have garnered over 1 billion views. He has written viral ads for companies like Squatty Potty, Chatbooks, and Lumē, and sketches for the comedy show Studio C. His work has received two Webby Awards, and appeared on Conan. He currently works as a writer on the sitcom Freelancers.
    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

    Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
    Jan 28 2025

    SUMMARY: The typical human lifespan is in the neighborhood of 4,000 weeks. That is an extremely precious, finite, and dwindling amount of life. It gives all of us urgent reason to (while we still can) take advantage of the Taco Bell 5 Dollar Taco Discovery Box deal. How would you live differently if you knew this was your last day to spend time with loved ones, work on a passion project, or eat a Doritos Locos Taco with a medium fountain drink (including the Baja Blast)?
    On this episode hear Dave's beautiful cigarette analogy, plus Kellen wishes that we had more inventions but fewer expectations...

    WATCH KELLEN'S NEW COMEDY SPECIAL ON YOUTUBE!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpBt0W1zrDU&t=1237s

    KELLEN ERSKINE IS IN ON TOUR!
    FEB 1 Milwaukee
    FEB 7-8 Youngstown, OH
    MAR 16 New Bremen, OH
    MAR 20 Pittsburgh
    MAR 28 Bakersfield, CA
    APR 4 Delray Beach, FL
    APR 25-26 Indiana
    MAY 9-10 Dallas
    MAY 17 St Charles, IL
    For tickets go to KellenErskine.com

    -Get two free tickets to any of Kellen's live shows in 2024-2025 by joining The Book Pile's Patreon at:
    https://www.patreon.com/TheBookPile

    -Dave’s book / game The Starlings is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBBLGXN?ref=myi_title_dp

    THE HOSTS!

    -Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's America's Got Talent, and the Amazon Original Series Inside Jokes. He has garnered over 200 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy. In 2018 he was selected to perform on the “New Faces” showcase at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He currently tours the country www.KellenErskine.com

    -David Vance's videos have garnered over 1 billion views. He has written viral ads for companies like Squatty Potty, Chatbooks, and Lumē, and sketches for the comedy show Studio C. His work has received two Webby Awards, and appeared on Conan. He currently works as a writer on the sitcom Freelancers.
    Show more Show less
    26 mins

Featured Article: We’re Booked—The Best Literature Podcasts for Every Bibliophile


Love everything books and literature? Of course, you do—that’s why you're here! Don’t worry, you’re in good company. If you're a book aficionado who loves chatting about literature with like-minded people, literature podcasts are the perfect addition to your listening lifestyle. There’s no shortage of great book podcast options to choose from. Here are just a few of the best literature podcasts, covering many different genres and styles of podcasting.

Featured Article We’re Booked The Best Literature Podcasts for Every Bibliophile

What listeners say about The Book Pile

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Profile Image for Dave Gus

Laugh and Learn then Laugh Again

Kellen Erskine was funny enough already but adding a David makes everything better...except the writing in this review.

I've read most of the books they talk about but never laughed like this while reading (most of) them. Plus, they actually DO go through the main points of the books in a very clear and helpful way.

The episodes are safe to listen to with children too. ALL of them. Even the scary-sounding episode 69...once they record that one in this timeline. What if they number the episodes like hotels number floors and there's no 13, no 69, no 666?

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Profile Image for Jewel Tunstall

Laughter Assault…. ????

The high school geek inside me cheers every time I share that David Vance’s high school band’s name was “Pangea” Its to brilliant to be said and not get a laugh. Eventually everyone I share it with laughs….. I repeat it and define it until they do!!!! Hmmmm… maybe that’s laughter assault? Hmmmmm…

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Profile Image for Madison

This podcast is great.

These guys are funny and their concept is very educational. I am surprised it's not much more popular.

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Profile Image for Coby Thompson

Love these guys!!!

I love listening to these guys! Always entertaining and fun! hilariously worth. damn the more words...

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Profile Image for W Stunkel

Two comedians reviewing books-what could go wrong?

Everything...in the best ways possible.

Kellen is my favorite comic and I enjoy the chemistry he and David have.

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Profile Image for strategos

Overflowing sadness

I started listening to the podcast a few weeks ago and couldn't stop. I'm nearing the end of the episodes and don't know how I'm going to handle only listening to one episode a week. Never thought books could be so much fun and love the witty banter between Dave and Kellen (or should I say Kellen and Dave). Every episode is comedy gold. Also, as overwhelmingly positive as I've tried to make the review, I'm sure Kellen will find a way to twist it into something less than complimentary. P.S. Please roast "The Crave Series." Your listeners will love it.

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