The History of Literature Podcast - Episode 655: "Guilty Pleasures (with Mike Palindrome and Laurie Frankel) | My Last Book with Mary Flannery"

Release Date: November 27, 2024

In Episode 655 of The History of Literature hosted by Jack Wilson from The Podglomerate, the discussion centers around the intriguing and often taboo topic of "Guilty Pleasures." Joined by esteemed guests Laurie Frankel, a celebrated novelist, and Mike Palindrome, president of the Literature Supporters Club, the episode delves deep into what constitutes a guilty pleasure in literature, television, movies, and everyday life. The conversation is punctuated with insightful reflections, personal anecdotes, and humorous exchanges, making it both engaging and relatable for literature enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Introduction to Guilty Pleasures

Jack Wilson opens the episode reflecting on the listener's suggestion to explore guilty pleasures, admitting his initial hesitation. He contemplates whether feeling guilty about one’s reading choices is justified, especially when compared to highbrow literary works often highlighted on resumes or in academic circles. This introspection sets the stage for a candid exploration of what truly defines a guilty pleasure.

Jack Wilson [01:01]: "Maybe you find some guilty pleasure somewhere in all of this. Or maybe you find some guilty pleasures that help you get through all of this."

Defining Literary Guilty Pleasures

The discussion begins with the concept of literary guilty pleasures. Jack admits his struggle to identify his own, feeling that his reading preferences might appear too "highfalutin" to qualify as guilty pleasures. In contrast, Mike and Laurie offer their takes, leading to a rich dialogue about the subjectivity of what one considers a guilty pleasure.

Laurie Frankel emphasizes that the very idea of a guilty pleasure in reading is, in her view, unnecessary. She argues that any book picked up for enjoyment deserves celebration rather than guilt.

Laurie Frankel [15:15]: "There is no such thing as a literary guilty pleasure. If we're picking up a book and reading it, that's something to celebrate, no matter what other people might think."

Mike Palindrome shares his method of juggling multiple books simultaneously, which Jack humorously interprets as hiding his true guilty pleasures.

Mike Palindrome [19:03]: "I think I've refined my reading habits. I read 13 books now at a time, and I'm able to... it's like a little horse race between all 13 books."

Guest Guilty Pleasures in Literature

Laurie and Mike each present their literary guilty pleasures after Jack outlines the ground rules for the discussion. Laurie candidly shares her tendency to purchase new books even when she hasn't finished existing ones, grappling with the guilt of letting unread books accumulate.

Laurie Frankel [17:13]: "All of the new books that I buy when I haven't read all of the old books yet... I feel guilty about all of the old books I haven't read yet. But buying new books is such a pleasure."

Mike categorizes his guilty pleasures into genres, highlighting his love for fantasy novels like the Dragonlance Chronicles and his admiration for authors like P.G. Wodehouse and Georges Simenon. He also touches on his penchant for reading non-fiction true crime and sports stories, albeit with a humorous confession about his guilty indulgence in watching sports, which he feels somewhat guilty about due to his wife's disdain for the genre.

Mike Palindrome [21:11]: "It's so entertaining. I love films where the main protagonists lose or die or are wounded."

Exploring Guilty Pleasures in Television and Movies

Transitioning to visual media, Laurie admits that her guilty pleasures in TV and movies often involve watching poorly written shows like Lost solely to uncover their mysteries, despite feeling frustrated by their unresolved endings.

Laurie Frankel [42:58]: "I watched every last minute of Lost and I regret it... I feel guilty about it because of the time that I'm choosing to spend on that instead of something else."

Mike shares his guilty pleasure for military action films, appreciating the strategic and heroic elements despite their often repetitive plots.

Mike Palindrome [51:27]: "I love the films of Cedric Klepich... and the French military action film My Sex Life or How I Got into an Argument."

Other Guilty Pleasures in Life

The conversation broadens as the hosts and guests discuss non-literary guilty pleasures. Laurie mentions environmental indulgences like taking long showers or turning up the heat, juxtaposing them against her literary choices. Mike adds to this by talking about his love for saxophone solos and nostalgic 80s music as his musical guilty pleasures.

Laurie Frankel [52:24]: "Stuff like long showers and turning the heat up in my house... lovely things along that line."

Mike Palindrome [55:18]: "As someone who loves music... my guilty pleasures are saxophone solos."

Conclusion and Personal Reflections

As the episode wraps up, Jack shares his own list of guilty pleasures, blending literary preferences with personal habits like watching football under a blanket and indulging in junk food. The conversation culminates with a guest appearance by Mary Flannery, who discusses her ideal last book to read—P.G. Wodehouse's Code of the Worcesters—highlighting the profound yet humorous impact of Wodehouse's work.

Mary Flannery [65:03]: "Each joke, each line just gets the maximum amount of laughter out of it. There's a lot to be enjoyed there."

Flannery further elaborates on the enduring charm and satirical brilliance of Wodehouse, drawing parallels to Chaucer's humor and praising the author's ability to create a comforting, farcical universe.

Mary Flannery [68:29]: "It's all about perspective. It's the foibles of humans, and isn't it all just a little bit absurd how seriously we take ourselves?"

Final Thoughts

Episode 655 offers a nuanced exploration of guilty pleasures, challenging conventional notions and encouraging listeners to embrace what brings them joy without the burden of guilt. Through heartfelt discussions, humorous banter, and thoughtful insights, Jack, Laurie, and Mike create an engaging narrative that resonates with anyone who has ever indulged in something they might secretly deem a guilty pleasure.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack Wilson [01:01]: "Maybe yours is junk food or reality TV or playing 80s music really loud in your car."
• Laurie Frankel [15:15]: "There is no such thing as a literary guilty pleasure."
• Mike Palindrome [21:11]: "It's so entertaining. I love films where the main protagonists lose or die or are wounded."
• Mary Flannery [65:03]: "Each joke, each line just gets the maximum amount of laughter out of it. There's a lot to be enjoyed there."

Timestamp Highlights:

• 00:01-01:01: Introduction and setting the theme of guilty pleasures.
• 09:04-09:54: Laurie talks about her Thanksgiving plans, setting a personal and festive tone.
• 17:13-19:03: Definition and discussion of literary guilty pleasures.
• 21:11-29:38: Guests share their specific guilty pleasures in literature.
• 37:04-54:43: Exploration of guilty pleasures in television and movies.
• 55:18-68:34: Discussing other guilty pleasures and the special guest Mary Flannery's insights on last books.
• 70:13-71:32: Wrap-up and final reflections.

Conclusion:

This episode serves as a reflective and entertaining examination of the often unspoken indulgences in our literary and entertainment choices. By debunking the stigma around guilty pleasures, The History of Literature encourages listeners to celebrate their preferences and find joy in the diverse spectrum of literature and media.