The Sorrow of Belgium by Hugo Klaus? No one here has ever heard of it. No one here has ever even heard of the author. This book was approached with a high degree of trepidation.

As it would turn out, this novel was one of the more thought-provoking works to ever be explored on this podcast. By turns amusing and disturbing, Hugo Klaus’s meandering and emotional examination of a childhood spent in Nazi-occupied Belgium is just as confounding as it is enjoyable– all fodder for an in-depth discussion.

This extra-long episode includes the discussion, an examination of recent news about Cormac McCarthy, a look back at the listener statistics from the previous year, and a fantastic finale when Rodney hand-picks our novel for February! Press “Play” below to hear it!

It’s Christmas time!

But it’s also National Read A New Book Month!

Which do we celebrate? It seems strange to make a big deal out of reading new books since the majority of novels the random number generator assigns are new to at least one member of the cast. “New books” are, basically, what they do here every month.

Rodney was inspired to combine Christmas and National Read A New Book Month into one very unique gift exchange. Each member of the cast came to the table with two book recommendations. It had to be a writer or book not on the curated list, a specialized gift based on what they have learned from each other over the last year of broadcast. To wit: Rodney buys a new book for Aaron, one for Rebecca. Rebecca buys a new book for Rodney, one for Aaron. Aaron . . . well . . . you get the idea. As it turns out, the challenge was harder than expected.

To hear the latest episode– with full discussions of six very different stories by six very different writers– push “Play” on the media player below!

The book for November provides a great opportunity for listeners to engage with the cast. They are urging someone out there to read this book and then email them to explain why they believe that this book should be on a list of books that are essential novels to read before we die.

Remembering Babylon, the Booker Prize-winning novel by Australian “master” David Malouf, is, ultimately, nothing more than a book that the cast of Just In Case We Die read because they had to. Be warned if you are a fan of this novel because it gets skewered herein.

Press “Play” on the media player below to hear the latest discussion.

The bonus material this month has its genesis in the book discussion from last month. You may recall that Rodney and Rebecca were less than pleased with the ending of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, citing it as abrupt and implausible. Does the ending ruin an otherwise great book?

This month, the discussion centers around the art of the ending. Are there really great books ruined by a terrible ending? Are some endings too abrupt? What writers, for the cast of Just In Case We Die, too often resort to laziness when it comes to the denouement? What is the greatest ending of all time and why is it The Usual Suspects?

Check out the newest discussion now! Just click “play” on the media player below 👇

This novel– Mark Haddon’s emotional depiction of a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome– meant a lot to Aaron when he first read it back in 2007. He selected it for his choice off of the list because he thought that Rebecca would have a personal attachment to it and he wanted Rodney to appreciate a post-modern novel that wasn’t as complicated as The Recognitions. The end result of this experiment to cater to everyone’s tastes? One of the best books they’ve read so far sullied by a flat and lifeless ending.

Can a bad ending ruin a great novel? Press “Play” on the media player below to see where our cast lands in this discussion.

It’s October!

All three cast members of Just In Case We Die are in agreement that autumn is the best time of the year. It’s not just because of the cool temperatures or the pumpkin spice. It’s not just because of the beautiful changes in scenery as the leaves and foliage change color before winter. Fall is also their favorite season of the year because that’s the best time to break out the dusty books of scary stories!

This month, the bonus discussion centers around horror, some personal favorite creators in the genre, and an exploration into ways you can get your scary story fix without subjecting yourself to blood and guts. From old-school classics to contemporary masters, the podcast offers more than enough suggestions to get through the Halloween season!

To hear the discussion, press “Play” below!

The temptation to more accurately depict the general consensus on this (apparently) “essential” “novel” by leaving this space wordless and blank is almost overwhelming. That would be poor form, though. This is a website and it must have content.

Novels should have content, too, though.

We’re talking to you, Colette!

If you would like to hear the cast of Just In Case We Die not discuss this so-called book, press “Play” on the media player below:

For the bonus material this month, the crew at Just In Case We Die takes a deep dive into the life and works of beloved children’s author Roald Dahl. Listeners may know him as the mastermind behind such classic works as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. Would they also realize that he also penned a good amount of racy work for adults? Do listeners know that he was also a decorated fighter pilot, one of the forefathers of the pro-vaccination movement, and the inventor of medical equipment that everyone should be thankful they never needed? Are they aware that his work was embroiled in a recent censorship controversy that centers around something called “a sensitivity reader”?

Celebrate Mr. Dahl’s 108 birthday with a potentially controversial discussion! Press “Play” on the media player below to hear it!

In 1898, William Heinemann published H. G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds in novel form for the very first time. In the 126 years that have passed since, this novel has never been out of print. It has been adapted into movies, television shows, radio productions, comic books, and musicals. It has also been the base inspiration for multitudes of other well-known science-fiction projects. Is The War of the Worlds the most famous science-fiction novel of all time? Does this novel actually fit into the genre? Why is H. G. Wells a wizard?

This month, Aaron, Rodney, and Rebecca– once again–discuss one of the hallmark novels of early science-fiction. Press “play” on the media player below to hear the discussion!

The final day of August has been declared as We Love Memoirs Day. The gang here at Just In Case We Die has no idea how that holiday should be celebrated, but it did give them a good topic for this month’s bonus episode.

This month, the discussion centers around memoirs. What is a memoir? What makes for a good one? Are there specific memoirs that might be recommended? What happens when Oprah Winfrey discovers that your memoir is actually a bunch of crap that you made up for fame? Salman Rushdie, Augusten Burroughs, Michael J. Fox, the offspring of Kurt Vonnegut, and more!

Press “Play” on the media player below to hear the latest discussion!